By Rahal Khan
@redlineproject
“It is mankind and his activities which are changing the environment of our planet in damaging and dangerous ways.”
— Margaret Thatcher (1989)
Nearly four decades later, the words of former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher still ring true.
Air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), has risen to concerning levels across the United States.
In 2019, cities such as Atlanta, Georgia, and parts of Alabama reported PM2.5 concentrations exceeding nine micrograms per cubic meter.
According to the World Health Organization, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 should not exceed five micrograms per cubic meter. These areas surpassed the recommended limit by nearly double.
While nine micrograms per cubic meter may not immediately raise an alarm, it still indicates room for improvement in air quality.
Furthermore, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities reports Illinois having a PM2.5 concentration of 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter, ranking No. 7 nationally. While Chicago does not appear among the top 10 cities for particulate pollution, a report from the American Lung Association ranks it No. 17 in the nation for worst ozone pollution.
Contributing factors vary by region. For instance, Georgia is known for prescribed burns, while California faces significant pollution from transportation. The locator map reflects this, with many of the most polluted cities in the U.S. located in California as of 2024. Notable outliers include Phoenix, Arizona, and Medford, Oregon.
Earlier this year, Los Angeles was impacted by the Eaton fire which burned throughout January and released toxic pollutants including asbestos and lead.
A common pattern among these cities is high vehicle usage, industrial activity, and limited adoption of sustainable living practices. The health risks of elevated particulate matter are significant. A report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that air pollution can impair cognitive and behavioral development in children, potentially increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s later in life.
Thatcher sounded the alarm in 1989. Today’s data confirms that without intervention, air pollution will continue to erode the foundations of environmental and societal wellbeing.