EMBARGOED UNTIL:
5 a.m. (ET), April 27, 2011
CONTACT: Deborah Brown
President & CEO
American Lung Association, Mid-Atlantic
Phone: (610) 563-6992 (cell)
Email: dbrown@lunginfo.org
Kevin M. Stewart
Director, Environmental Health
American Lung Association, Mid-Atlantic
Phone: (717) 541-5864 x56 or
(717) 330-1790 (cell)
Email: kstewart@lunginfo.org
Camden Air Improves for Particle Pollution and Ozone in Lung
Association ‘State of the Air’ Report
County Retains Grades of ‘F’ for Ozone and Daily Levels of Particle Pollution
Ranks in Top 25 Most Polluted Cities for Ozone, Short-Term and Annual Particle Pollution as
Part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland Metro Area
Editors’ Note: Multimedia toolkit including broadcast quality b-roll and photographs are
available at www.stateoftheair.com. Trend charts and rankings for metropolitan areas and
county grades are available at www.stateoftheair.org.
CAMDEN, N.J. [Embargoed Until: 5 a.m. (ET), April 27, 2011]— Camden County had slightly improved
year-round and short-term levels of particle pollution (soot), and much improved levels of ozone (smog),
according to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2011 report, released today. Nevertheless,
the four-state Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland Metropolitan Area ranked among the top 25 most polluted
cities in the nation, placing 24th for year-round particle pollution (compared to last year’s place as 35th),
20th for ozone pollution (last year it was listed 22nd ), and placing 20th for daily particle pollution (an
improvement from the 12th place rank of last year). Among all New Jersey counties, Camden County is
the worst for ozone, tied for 2nd worst in daily particle pollution with Union County and 3rd worst in annual
particle pollution. However, those improvements weren’t enough to help Camden County improve its
grades. It received an ‘F’ for ozone and short-term particle pollution, but passed for annual particle
pollution.
This year’s report finds that the majority of American cities most-polluted by ozone or year-round
particle pollution have improved, thanks to continued progress in the cleanup of deadly toxics required by
the Clean Air Act.
The Lung Association’s annual air quality report reveals that just over half the nation—154.5
million people—live in areas with levels of ozone and/or particle pollution that are often dangerous to
breathe. Even though so many people live in areas where bad air can make them sick, some members of
Congress are proposing changes to the Clean Air Act that would weaken the enforcement needed to
continue to reduce air pollution, threatening human health.
“Dangerous levels of smog and particle pollution continue to threaten Camden County. When we
look at results across the country, we see that the Clean Air Act works, and we must safeguard its
protections,” says Deb Brown, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic.
“We are committed to fighting for healthier air and cleaning up pollution results in healthier air. Now is not
the time to stop progress.”
“We are all affected by air pollution –even the most active, healthy adults are hurt, but particularly
children, older adults and people with lung disease, diabetes, heart disease and those living in poverty. A
failing grade for Camden County is a failing grade for everyone.”
Of a total population of more than 518,000 people, groups at increased risk from air pollution in
Camden County include:
Infants, Children and Youth under 18:
125,759
Persons 65 and above:
66,235
Children with Asthma:
11,442
Adults with Asthma:
30,209
Persons with Chronic Bronchitis:
17,147
Persons with Emphysema:
Persons with Heart Disease:
8,524
144,208
Persons with Diabetes:
33,606
Persons Living in Poverty:
57,405
The State of the Air 2011 report grades cities and counties based, in part, on the color-coded Air
Quality Index developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help alert the public to
daily unhealthy air conditions. The 12th annual release of the Lung Association’s report uses the most
recent EPA data collected from 2007 through 2009 from official monitors for ozone and particle pollution,
the two most widespread types of air pollution. Counties are graded for ozone, year-round particle
pollution and short-term particle pollution levels. The report also uses EPA’s calculations for year-round
particle levels.
According to the report, all metro areas in the list of the 25 cities most polluted by ozone showed
improvement over the previous report, and 15 of those cities experienced the lowest levels yet. All but two
of the 25 cities most polluted with year-round particle pollution improved over last year’s report. Only 11
cities among those most polluted by short-term spikes in particle pollution, however, experienced
improvement.
Particle levels can spike dangerously for hours to weeks on end (short-term) or remain at
unhealthy levels on average every day (year-round). “Particle pollution kills," said Kevin M. Stewart,
Director of Environmental Health of ALAM-A. “When you breathe these microscopic particles, you are
inhaling a noxious mix of chemicals, metals, acid aerosols, ash, soot and others from diesel exhaust and
other sources. It is as toxic as it sounds and can lead to early death, asthma exacerbations, heart attacks,
strokes and emergency room visits in substantial numbers. Science clearly has proven that we need to
protect the health of the public from the dangers of particle pollution.”
How Big is a Particle?
EPA drawing showing the size of microscopic,
dangerous particles in relation to the diameter of a
human hair (center) and fine beach sand (brown
image on the left).
Ozone is the most widespread air
pollutant, created by the reaction of sunlight on
emissions from vehicles and other sources. When
ozone is inhaled, it irritates the lungs. It can cause
immediate health problems and continue days later.
Ozone can cause wheezing, coughing, asthma
attacks and even premature death.
Despite continued levels of toxic air pollution nationwide and evidence that clean-ups have
drastically cut air pollution levels, some members of Congress are proposing to weaken or block
enforcement of the Clean Air Act, including steps to strip legal authority and funding from the EPA. Such
moves would undermine the cleanup that remains, including the long-overdue cleanup of coal-fired power
plants EPA recently proposed. As the Lung Association pointed out in its March report on toxic air
pollution from coal-fired power plants, the pollution from more than 440 coal-fired power plants in 46
states are among the biggest contributors to ozone and particle pollution in the U.S. In addition, these
plants produce 84 known hazardous air pollutants like arsenic, mercury, dioxins, formaldehyde and
hydrogen chloride, which blow across state lines polluting the air thousands of miles away from the
plants. Since this pollution spreads across state lines, the EPA’s ability to enforce standards is the only
protection many communities have.
The American Lung Association released a bipartisan poll in February that showed Americans
overwhelmingly support efforts for even tougher air quality standards and oppose Congressional action
that interferes with the EPA’s ability to update clean air standards. “Some in Congress are working to
weaken the Clean Air Act and care more about safeguarding the interests of industry polluters than the
health of Americans, including those in Camden County,” said Deb Brown. “We must ensure the
protections of this groundbreaking environmental legislation.”
The Clean Air Act saved more than 160,000 lives in 2010, according to EPA’s recent analysis.
The American Lung Association in New Jersey is committed to keeping the law in place to protect all of
those at risk in air pollution, from the most vulnerable populations to the healthiest populations.
Camden County residents are urged to voice support for the EPA to continue to protect the air in
its community and can do so in a number of ways:

Tell the EPA that you want the coal-fired power plants cleaned up. Go to www.lungaction.org to
send an email to the EPA.

Join the American Lung Association’s advocacy team. Visit our web site at www.stateoftheair.org
to see your local air quality grades and to send a message to Congress about protecting the
Clean Air Act.

Take steps to clean up the air in your community and to protect your family: Drive less; walk; bike;
carpool; or take the transit. Don’t burn wood or trash. Make sure your local school system uses
clean school buses. Use less electricity. Don’t exercise on high pollution days and never exercise
near busy freeways.

Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter at @LungAssociation for much more information about
lung health news.

Make a financial contribution to the ALA to support our fight for clean and healthy air.
About the American Lung Association
Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save
lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American
Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information
about the American Lung Association, a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity and holder of the Better
Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800586-4872) or visit www.lungusa.org.
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