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
Erie County Scores Mixed Grades in American Lung Association’s
Annual State of the Air Report
County Sees Improvement in Short-Term Particle Pollution, But Other Grades
Remain Unchanged Since 2010 Report
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.
ERIE, Pa. [Embargoed Until: 5 a.m. (ET), April 27, 2011]— Air quality in Erie County received mixed
grades in the American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2011, which assigned an “F” for ozone
(smog), a “D” for short-term particle pollution (soot) and a ‘Pass’ for year-round particle pollution levels—
all unchanged from last year’s report with the exception of short-term particle pollution, which previously
earned an “F.”
This year’s State of the Air 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.
“Dangerous levels of smog and particle pollution continue to threaten the Erie County community.
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 MidAtlantic. “We are committed to fighting for healthier air and cleaning up pollution results in healthier air.
Now is not the time to stop progress.”
She adds, “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 Erie County is a failing grade for everyone.”
Of a total population of more than 280,000, groups at increased risk from air pollution in Erie
County include:
Infants, Children and Youth under 18:
63,342
Persons 65 and above:
40,938
Children with Asthma:
6,526
Adults with Asthma:
19,750
Persons with Chronic Bronchitis:
9,617
Persons with Emphysema:
4,962
Persons with Heart Disease:
82,191
Persons with Diabetes:
19,151
Persons Living in Poverty:
41,724
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.
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 metropolitan 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 (smog) 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 Erie 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 Pennsylvania 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.
Erie 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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