State of the Science Fact Sheet: Air Quality

Air pollution causes significant harm to human health, the economy, and ecosystems. The US spends tens of billions of dollars each year to reduce air pollution to protect public health and the environment. For over 50 years, industrial nations have reduced harmful air pollutants generated primarily by power plants, transportation, industry, and agriculture. Large improvements have occurred in US air quality over the last few decades. However, poor air quality still contributes to approximately 100,000 premature deaths each year from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases across the Nation. NOAA provides air quality predictions and critical research and observations that support alerts and the development of effective policies and strategies for air quality management.