Chattanooga clearing the air in latest American Lung Association pollution report

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga scores best grade ever on the American Lung Association “State of the Air” report for bad ozone days.

Ozone pollution has been a major problem for Chattanooga on the annual report.

The city still ranks as the 44th most polluted city for year round particle levels.

But that is an improvement over recent years.

Chattanooga had fewer unhealthy days of ozone (3.7), scoring our best marks ever.

Compare that to the 63.3 unhealthy days from 1998-2000, as recounted under the new, 2015 standard.

“Ozone is harmful to public health and especially children, older adults and those with asthma and other lung diseases,” said Heather Wehrheim, Advocacy Director of The American Lung Association in Tennessee. “When older adults or children with asthma breathe ozone-polluted air, too often they end up in the doctor’s office, the hospital or the emergency room.”

Nationwide, ozone pollution is improving because of lower emissions from coal-fired power plants and vehicles.

Chattanooga has always scored much better in the short term particle pollution list. (dirty emissions from sources like truck exhaust)

In the 2016 report, the city is once again among the cleanest in the nation.

Findings for Chattanooga/Dalton/Cleveland in 2016 State of the Air report:

— Ranked 116 for high ozone days out of 197 metropolitan areas

— Ranked 1 for cleanest metropolitan areas in the country for 24-hour particle pollution

— Ranked 44 for annual particle pollution out of 171 metropolitan areas