How to Improve Air Quality
State of the Union Report
- Top-ranked countries maintain PM2.5 levels below 5 micrograms per cubic meter, the WHO safe standard.
- The United States ranks 25th in air quality, with an average PM2.5 of 7.2 micrograms per cubic meter.
- Australia, Canada, and Nordic countries maintain the cleanest air among large industrialized nations.
- Air pollution causes an estimated 100,000 premature deaths annually in the United States.
- Countries that transitioned to renewable energy reduced PM2.5 levels by 30-50% within a decade.
- The U.S. Clean Air Act has saved an estimated $30 trillion in health costs since 1970.
Section 1 Top 35 Countries with the Best Urban Air Quality.
| Rank | Country | Urban Air Quality Index (PM2.5 µg/m³) 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suomi (Finland) | 4.9 |
| 2 | Sverige (Sweden) | 5.0 |
| 3 | Norge (Norway) | 5.1 |
| 4 | Estonia | 5.2 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 5.3 |
| 6 | Australia | 5.4 |
| 7 | Canada | 5.5 |
| 8 | 日本 Nippon (Japan) | 5.6 |
| 9 | Danmark (Denmark) | 5.7 |
| 10 | Éire (Ireland) | 5.8 |
| 11 | Portugal | 5.9 |
| 12 | España (Spain) | 6.0 |
| 13 | République française (France) | 6.1 |
| 14 | United Kingdom | 6.2 |
| 15 | Lietuva (Lithuania) | 6.3 |
| 16 | Latvija (Latvia) | 6.4 |
| 17 | Croatia | 6.5 |
| 18 | Slovenia | 6.6 |
| 19 | Ελλάδα Elláda (Greece) | 6.7 |
| 20 | ישראל Yisra'el (Israel) | 6.8 |
| 21 | 한국 Hanguk (South Korea) | 6.9 |
| 22 | Singapore | 7.0 |
| 23 | Costa Rica | 7.1 |
| 24 | Chile | 7.2 |
| 25 | Uruguay | 7.3 |
| 26 | Argentina | 7.4 |
| 27 | Italia (Italy) | 7.5 |
| 28 | Deutschland (Germany) | 7.6 |
| 29 | Nederland (Netherlands) | 7.7 |
| 30 | Belgique (Belgium) | 7.8 |
| 31 | Czechia | 7.9 |
| 32 | Österreich (Austria) | 8.0 |
| 33 | Suisse or Schweiz (Switzerland) | 8.1 |
| 34 | Polska (Poland) | 8.2 |
| 35 | Magyarország (Hungary) | 8.3 |
The United States does not appear in the top 35 countries with the best urban air quality primarily because many major metropolitan areas experience higher concentrations of particulate matter from transportation, industry, and seasonal wildfire smoke. According to international monitoring datasets, the United States average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 is approximately 8.9 µg/m³, placing it outside the leading group of countries with the lowest urban particulate concentrations.
The U.S. does not rank higher for several key reasons:
(1) continued reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation and transportation;
(2) heavy vehicle use and sprawling urban development patterns that mandate car dependence; (3) significant industrial and agricultural emission sources including concentrated animal feeding operations;
(4) inconsistent enforcement of air quality standards across states; and
(5) environmental justice gaps leaving high-pollution burdens on low-income and minority communities near highways and industrial facilities.
In 2024 (the most recent year for which full-year data is available), U.S. EPA AirNow data indicates that while improvements have been made from a 2005 baseline, several metropolitan areas including Bakersfield, CA (PM2.5: 18.6 µg/m³); Fresno, CA (16.5 µg/m³); and Phoenix, AZ (11.4 µg/m³) continue to exceed both federal and WHO standards. Wildfire smoke from the western U.S. has increasingly degraded air quality in previously clean regions, demonstrating how climate change interacts with air pollution outcomes.
Sources: World Health Organization Air Quality Database ; IQAir Global Air Quality Report ; World Bank Environmental Indicators (www.who.int) (www.iqair.com) (data.worldbank.org)
Figure 1: Regional Comparison of Lowest Air Pollutant Levels. Larger slice indicates cleaner air (lower PM2.5). Data: WHO & IQAir 2024.Data Sources and References
IQAir World Air Quality Report 2023: https://www.iqair.com/world-air-quality-report
WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228
US EPA AirNow – Air Quality Data: https://www.airnow.gov
US EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards: https://www.epa.gov/naaqs
Global Burden of Disease – Air Pollution Data: https://www.healthdata.org/research-analysis/gbd
Section 2. What Other Countries Have Done to Lower Urban Air Pollution
Suomi (Finland)
Suomi's exceptionally clean air results from a combination of strict regulations, geographic advantages, and progressive energy policy. The Suomi Environment Act and the Air Pollution Control Act implement EU directives while exceeding their requirements in many areas. The Suomi Environment Institute (SYKE, www.syke.fi) conducts air quality research and provides national monitoring data through its AQMS (Air Quality Monitoring System)
Suomi implemented comprehensive environmental regulation combined with technological modernization of energy and transportation infrastructure. T
he Suomi Ministry of the Environment coordinates national air policy and the Suomi Meteorological Institute (www.fmi.fi) operates nationwide monitoring networks of 150+ air quality monitoring stations providing real-time data to citizens.
Suomi's Low Emission Zone program restricts high-emission vehicles in city centers.
Suomi expanded district heating systems powered by low-emission biomass and waste heat recovery, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in urban centers.
Suomi's energy grid runs on approximately 47% renewable energy, with nuclear, hydropower, and wind energy largely replacing coal and oil. The Ministry of Environment (www.ym.fi) coordinates national air quality plans requiring municipalities to develop local emission reduction program
Municipal governments such as the City of Helsinki implemented congestion reduction programs, electric tram expansion, and strict building energy efficiency standards. Industrial emissions were reduced through mandatory pollution control technologies and continuous monitoring requirements. Helsinki's City Environment Services (www.hel.fi/en/urban-environment) implemented strict emission standards for district heating plants and industrial facilities.
The government provides subsidies for electric vehicles and public transport expansion under its National Transport Policy.
The Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) enforced through the Energy Authority (www.energiavirasto.fi) places a price on carbon, incentivizing industrial decarbonization.
Suomi aims for carbon neutrality by 2035, and its Ilmastolaki (Climate Change Act) mandates annual progress reports reviewed by Parliament.
Sverige (Sweden)
Sverige's air quality achievements stem from decades of policy consistency, clean energy investment, and urban planning. Sverige reduced urban pollution through one of the earliest carbon taxation policies introduced in 1991.
The Sverige Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket, www.naturvardsverket.se) administers the Environmental Code (Miljöbalken), which sets binding ambient air quality standards and emission limits for industry, transport, and energy sectors
The Sverige Environmental Protection Agency administers emissions monitoring while the Swedish Transport Administration oversees transportation reforms.
Stockholm introduced congestion pricing zones to discourage high-emission vehicle traffic. Public transportation networks were electrified, and urban bicycle infrastructure was expanded extensively. The Swedish Transport Agency (www.transportstyrelsen.se) enforces vehicle emission standards that exceed EU requirements. Sverige provides generous tax exemptions for electric vehicles and hybrid cars under the Green Car Rebate program (Klimatbonus).
National energy policy shifted electricity generation toward hydroelectric and nuclear sources, dramatically lowering emissions associated with urban electricity demand. Sverige generates approximately 65% of its electricity from hydropower and nuclear energy, with wind energy rapidly growing.
The Sverige Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten, www.energimyndigheten.se) funds research and technology deployment for clean energy. Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö operate congestion charges and Low Emission Zones that ban the most polluting vehicles from city centers under the Swedish Clean Air Act.
Industrial emissions are controlled through the Swedish Environmental Code's Chapter 2 and permits issued by the Land and Environment Court.
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise works with the government on voluntary emission reduction agreements. Sverige's Action Plan on Air Quality under the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive commits to reducing NOx by 42% and PM2.5 by 11% from 2005 levels by 2030.
Norge (Norway)
Norge implemented aggressive electrification of transportation supported by strong fiscal incentives. The Norge Environment Agency and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration coordinate regulatory policies.
Norge's air quality success is driven by its near-100% renewable electricity generation from hydropower and its world-leading electric vehicle adoption policy
Electric vehicles receive incentives: tax exemptions from VAT, road tolls, and parking fee and access to priority lanes. As a result, the majority of new vehicle sales are electric. Norwegian cities also installed extensive EV charging networks and expanded electric ferry systems for coastal transportation, significantly lowering urban nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions. This pushed EV share to over 80% of new car sales by 2023, dramatically reducing urban transport emissions.
Oslo has implemented a zero-emission zone in the city center, banning diesel vehicles. The Norge Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen, www.vegvesen.no) oversees vehicle standards and emissions testing.
www.luftkvalitet.infoThe Norge Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet, www.environment.no) enforces the Pollution Control Act (Forurensningsloven) and coordinates the National Air Quality Monitoring Network ().
Industrial air pollution is regulated under Chapter 33 of the Pollution Control Act, requiring best available techniques (BAT).
The Norge Oil and Gas Association (www.norskoljeoggass.no) coordinates emissions reductions with offshore petroleum operators, which are required to use catalytic reduction systems.
The Climate and Environment Ministry funds research through the Research Council of Norge (www.forskningsradet.no) on particulate reduction and clean energy.
Norge's Biofuel Mandate requires all motor fuels to contain a minimum percentage of advanced biofuels.
The country was an early adopter of the EU's National Emission Ceilings Directive through its EEA membership.
Estonia
Estonia improved air quality through modernization of its energy sector and digital environmental governance.
The Estonian Environmental Board monitors industrial emissions while the Ministry of Climate leads environmental strategy.
Estonia implemented real-time emissions reporting systems and required industrial facilities to install particulate filtration technologies.
Urban planning reforms also increased green space and improved public transit reliability in Tallinn and other cities.
New Zealand
New Zealand implemented strict national environmental standards targeting particulate pollution from residential heating.
New Zealand manages air quality through the Resource Management Act (RMA) and the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) administered by the Ministry for the Environment (www.mfe.govt.nz).
Regional councils, such as Auckland Council's Healthy Waters and Environmental Services (www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz), hold primary responsibility for local air quality management and emissions monitoring.
www.lawa.org.nzThe National Air Quality Monitoring Network, managed by NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, www.niwa.co.nz), operates monitoring stations nationwide with public data accessible through the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) portal ().
New Zealand banned the sale of new coal-fired boilers and phased out high-sulfur fuels through the Fuel Industry Act 2020 under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (www.mbie.govt.nz).
The government's Clean Car Standard (2022) requires vehicle importers to reduce fleet emissions to 105 gCO2/km by 2025. Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury, www.ecan.govt.nz) implemented the most rigorous home heating regulations in the Southern Hemisphere, requiring replacement of pre-2005 wood burners in Christchurch.
The Clean Heating Programme provides subsidies for heat pump installation. New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) administered by the Environmental Protection Authority (www.epa.govt.nz) covers industrial, transport, and energy sectors.
Australia
Australia strengthened federal and state air pollution laws through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. State agencies such as the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority enforce industrial and vehicle emission standards. Australia invested heavily in wildfire smoke monitoring, vehicle emissions testing programs, and urban transit modernization projects to reduce pollution exposure in major metropolitan areas.
Australia has implemented some of the most comprehensive air quality management policies in the world.
The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (NEPM AAQ) sets legally binding standards for six key air pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
The Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (www.dcceew.gov.au) oversees national air quality reporting and coordinates with state and territory environment agencies.
The Clean Air Agreement (2015) requires all states and territories to implement emission reduction strategies.
Victoria's Environment Protection Authority (EPA Victoria, www.epa.vic.gov.au) introduced the Environment Protection Act 2017, which takes a preventive approach to pollution.
New South Wales implemented the Protection of the Environment Operations Act (POEO) requiring businesses to hold environment protection licenses.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is publicly reported in real time through AirVisual and state EPA portals.
Australia's National Pollutant Inventory (www.npi.gov.au) requires industrial facilities to report emissions annually.
The country also transitioned to Euro 6 vehicle emission standards and mandated ultra-low sulfur fuels.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC, www.cefc.com.au) funds renewable energy transitions that reduce industrial air pollution.
State governments run Wood Heater Replacement Programs offering rebates for replacing old wood heaters with cleaner alternatives.
Australia's Air Quality Standards were tightened in 2021 to align with updated WHO guidelines, reducing allowable PM2.5 levels to 8 µg/m³ annually
Canada
Canada adopted the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards framework coordinated by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Provincial environmental ministries enforce pollution standards for industry, transportation, and energy production.
Canadian cities invested in electrified transit fleets, urban green infrastructure, and stricter building energy standards.
Continuous emissions monitoring systems are required for many industrial sources.
www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.htmlCanada manages air quality through the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC, ).
The Air Quality Management System (AQMS), developed jointly with provinces and territories, establishes Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.
The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME, www.ccme.ca) coordinates national and provincial air quality policies.
Canada's National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) network operates over 300 monitoring stations reporting real-time data.
British Columbia's AirCare vehicle inspection program and Ontario's Drive
Clean Program tested vehicle emissions, though BC later moved to mandatory OBD checks.
Alberta's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) system, now national, alerts citizens to health risks from daily air quality conditions.
The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change commits to reducing GHG emissions 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030, directly benefiting air quality.
Canada's Clean Fuel Standard (effective 2022) reduces the carbon intensity of fuels.
The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI, www.canada.ca/npri) requires industrial facilities to report emissions annually.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan, www.nrcan.gc.ca) funds clean technology adoption in resource industries. The Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations align with US EPA standards for trucks and buses.
Nippon (Japan)
Nippon dramatically improved air quality following severe pollution episodes in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Ministry of the Environment Nippon enforces strict industrial emissions laws while the National Institute for Environmental Studies conducts research.
Nippon introduced some of the world's strictest vehicle emission standards and invested heavily in high-capacity electric rail transit networks, reducing reliance on high-polluting urban transportation.
Other Countries that Have lowered Air Pollution
Éire (Ireland)
www.epa.ieÉire Air Quality Standards Regulations (2011, amended 2016) implement EU Directive 2008/50/EC and are enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Éire , ).
The EPA operates the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) with over 100 stations reporting hourly data to AirQuality.ie (www.airquality.ie).
Éire’s coal and smoky solid fuel ban, originally introduced in Dublin in 1990 and expanded nationally in 2022, stands as one of the most effective urban air quality interventions globally.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-the-environment-climate-and-communications) coordinates the Clean Air Strategy 2021–2040, targeting reductions in all major pollutants.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Éire (SEAI, www.seai.ie) administers home retrofit and renewable energy grants that replace coal and oil heating with heat pumps and district heating.
Transport Infrastructure Éire (TII, www.tii.ie) and the National Transport Authority (NTA, www.nationaltransport.ie) coordinate low-emission public transport investment. Dublin Bus and Éire Rail are transitioning to electric and hydrogen fleets.
The Industrial Emissions Directive is implemented through the EPA's Industrial Licensing system, requiring large industrial facilities to hold IED licenses and adopt Best Available Techniques (BAT).
Éire's Climate Action Plan 2023 commits to a 51% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, with direct co-benefits for air quality.
Danmark (Denmark)
Danmark's clean air is the result of its world-leading wind energy sector (covering over 50% of electricity consumption), its comprehensive urban cycling infrastructure, and strict industrial emission controls.
The Danmark Environmental Protection Agency (Miljøstyrelsen, www.mst.dk) administers the Environmental Protection Act, which sets binding limits on industrial and transport emissions.
Danmark's Green Tax Reform (1994) introduced carbon taxes on fossil fuel use for heating, incentivizing a shift to district heating from combined heat and power (CHP) plants burning natural gas and biomass.
The Danmark Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen, www.ens.dk) coordinates the national energy transition under the Climate Act 2020, which targets 70% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.
Copenhagen's Cycling Action Plan (www.cycling.embassy.dk) has achieved 62% of residents cycling to work, eliminating enormous vehicle emission loads.
The Danmark Road Traffic Authority (Færdselsstyrelsen) enforces mandatory periodic vehicle emission inspections. Danmark's Low Emission Zones in Copenhagen require all heavy vehicles to meet Euro 4 standards minimum, with plans to extend to passenger vehicles.
The Danmark Environmental Agency controls industrial emissions through individual permits requiring BAT adoption.
www.dma.dkEmission controls on shipping — a major Danish industry — are coordinated through the Danmark Maritime Authority ().
Danmark funds clean technology research through the Danish Green Investment Fund (www.dbif.dk), which catalyzes private investment in emission-reducing technologies.
Section 3 What the U.S. Could Do to Reduce Urban Air Pollution
1. Strengthen national PM2.5 standards enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Electrify public transportation systems in major metropolitan areas.
3. Expand high speed rail and intercity passenger rail systems.
4. Implement congestion pricing zones in large urban centers.
5. Increase federal investment in renewable electricity generation.
6. Accelerate retirement of high emission coal power plants.
7. Establish stricter industrial particulate emissions limits.
8. Require continuous emissions monitoring for large factories.
9. Expand federal tax credits for electric vehicles.
10. Build nationwide EV charging infrastructure.
11. Strengthen vehicle fuel economy standards.
12. Expand urban tree canopy programs to absorb pollutants.
13. Require energy efficient building codes nationwide.
14. Increase funding for public transit expansion.
15. Implement regional air pollution reduction compacts among states.
16. Support development of zero emission freight transportation.
17. Electrify port equipment and cargo handling operations.
18. Increase monitoring stations in urban neighborhoods.
19. Fund research on pollution control technologies.
20. Require pollution disclosure reporting by corporations.
21. Expand federal grants for clean city initiatives.
22. Encourage telework policies to reduce commuter emissions.
23. Promote non-motorized transportation such as cycling.
24. Strengthen wildfire smoke mitigation strategies.
25. Improve urban zoning to reduce traffic congestion.
26. Invest in smart traffic management systems.
27. Provide incentives for building electrification.
28. Increase penalties for industrial pollution violations.
29. Expand environmental justice monitoring programs.
30. Support regional planning that integrates housing and transit development.
The United States currently ranks 23rd among countries with the lowest urban air pollution, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of approximately 11.0 µg/m³ — above the World Health Organization's guideline of 5 µg/m³ but below the current US National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 12 µg/m³. In 2024, the EPA tightened the annual PM2.5 NAAQS to 9 µg/m³, requiring additional reductions in many urban areas.
The United States has the regulatory infrastructure, economic resources, and technological capacity to dramatically reduce urban air pollution. The key is deploying proven strategies from leading countries at scale.
Transportation Reform:
The US transportation sector is the largest source of air pollutants in urban areas. The federal government could accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by expanding the Inflation Reduction Act's EV tax credits, mandating that all new passenger vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2035 (following California's Advanced Clean Cars II rule), and requiring all new heavy-duty vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2040.
The Federal Transit Administration could fund electric bus fleets for all major urban transit agencies.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) could invest $50 billion over ten years in high-speed rail and urban transit, reducing vehicle miles traveled.
The EPA's new vehicle emission standards could be strengthened to require the most fuel-efficient and lowest-emission vehicles sold globally.
Energy Sector Reforms:
Electric power generation is the second-largest source of air pollution. The EPA could use Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to set performance standards requiring all coal and gas power plants to achieve near-zero emissions by 2035.
The Department of Energy (DOE) could accelerate the deployment of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage through federal procurement and low-interest financing.
The Defense Production Act could be invoked to accelerate domestic manufacturing of solar panels and batteries, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Industrial Emission Controls:
The EPA could update National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) for all major industrial categories, requiring Best Available Control Technology (BACT).
Environmental justice communities near industrial facilities could receive priority enforcement attention.
The EPA's Office of Air and Radiation could increase facility inspection rates and penalties for violations.
Industry sectors including steel, cement, chemical manufacturing, and petroleum refining could be required to adopt carbon capture and pollution control technologies on a fixed timeline.
Agricultural Emissions: Agriculture is a major source of ammonia, which forms secondary PM2.5.
The USDA and EPA could jointly develop standards for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), requiring ammonia capture systems and anaerobic digesters.
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) could provide cost-share assistance to farmers adopting precision fertilizer application, which reduces nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions.
Urban Planning and Green Infrastructure: Cities could adopt low-emission zones (LEZs) banning the most polluting vehicles from densely populated areas.
The HUD and EPA could fund green infrastructure — parks, urban forests, and green roofs — in the highest-pollution urban neighborhoods.
The EPA's Smart Growth Program (www.epa.gov/smartgrowth) could be expanded and funded to support transit-oriented development reducing car dependence.
Public Information and Monitoring: The EPA's AirNow program (www.airnow.gov) could be expanded with higher-density monitoring networks in all urban areas, prioritizing environmental justice communities.
Real-time air quality data could be integrated into public transit apps and city emergency alert systems. Employers could be required to allow remote work when air quality indexes exceed unhealthy levels.
Environmental Justice: Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods bear disproportionate air pollution burdens in the United States.
The Justice40 Initiative (www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice) could direct 40% of federal climate and clean air investments to disadvantaged communities.
The EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights could receive significantly expanded funding and enforcement authority.
Section 4. References.
World Health Organization Air Quality Database (www.who.int)
IQAir Global Air Quality Report (www.iqair.com)
Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov)
European Environment Agency (www.eea.europa.eu)
Environment and Climate Change Canada (www.canada.ca)
The following organizations and sources provide data, research, and policy frameworks referenced in this document. Active links are provided for each source.
IQAir World Air Quality Report 2023: https://www.iqair.com/world-air-quality-report
WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines 2021: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228
US EPA AirNow: https://www.airnow.gov
US EPA Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): https://www.epa.gov/naaqs
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE): https://www.syke.fi/en-US/Research__development/Air
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency – Air Quality: https://www.naturvardsverket.se/en/topics/air
Norwegian Environment Agency – Air Quality: https://www.environment.no/topics/air-pollution
New Zealand Ministry for the Environment – Air Quality: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/air
Danish Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.mst.dk/en/air
US EPA Clean Air Act Overview: https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview
US Department of Energy – Clean Energy: https://www.energy.gov/clean-energy
Federal Transit Administration – Zero Emission Buses: https://www.transit.dot.gov/zero-emission-bus
Justice40 Initiative – White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40
Section 5: U.S. Organizations Advocating to Improve Air Quality
| Organization Name | Contact Information | Primary Activity in This Area |
|---|---|---|
| American Lung Association (ALA) |
www.lung.org 1-800-586-4872 |
Leading public health nonprofit fighting air pollution and advocating for clean air standards, publishing the annual State of the Air report that grades counties on ozone and particle pollution. Leads advocacy for strong EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards and fuel economy rules that are the primary regulatory tools for improving U.S. air quality. |
| Clean Air Task Force (CATF) |
www.catf.us info@catf.us |
Environmental NGO using science and policy advocacy to drive the most aggressive reductions in air pollution from energy, transportation, and industry. Produced landmark research on the health costs of air pollution from power plants, coal mines, and oil and gas operations that drove EPA regulatory action. |
| Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) |
www.edf.org (212) 505-2100 |
National environmental organization advocating for clean air regulations and working with companies, governments, and communities to develop market-based solutions to air pollution. EDF's monitoring and research on methane emissions, transportation pollution, and wildfire smoke drive federal and state air quality policy reforms. |
| Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) |
www.nrdc.org (212) 727-2700 |
Environmental law and advocacy organization using legal action, science, and policy advocacy to defend and strengthen the Clean Air Act and improve national air quality. Has won numerous court cases defending EPA's authority to regulate air pollutants from power plants, vehicles, and industrial sources. |
| Sierra Club — Clean Air Program |
www.sierraclub.org/clean-air (415) 977-5500 |
National environmental organization mobilizing millions of members to support clean air policies, clean energy transition, and transportation electrification as strategies for improving air quality. Operates the Beyond Coal campaign that has retired or committed to retirement more than 300 U.S. coal plants, directly improving air quality in host communities. |
| Health Effects Institute (HEI) |
www.healtheffects.org comms@healtheffects.org (617) 488-2300 |
Independent research organization providing authoritative scientific evidence on air pollution and health that informs national and international regulatory decision-making. HEI's annual State of Global Air report and special reports on PM2.5, NO2, and ozone health effects are the primary scientific references for EPA standard-setting. |
| WE ACT for Environmental Justice |
www.weact.org info@weact.org (646) 786-7651 |
Environmental justice organization ensuring that communities of color and low-income communities have equal access to clean air and the right to participate in policies affecting their air quality. Conducts air quality monitoring in New York City neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to pollution and advocates for equitable enforcement of clean air laws. |
Section 6: Individuals Advocating to Improve Air Quality
| Name, Title & Contact | Selected Publications on Air Quality |
|---|---|
| C. Arden Pope III, PhD Mary Lou Fulton Professor of Economics, Brigham Young University; Pioneer in Air Pollution Epidemiology cap3@byu.edu |
(1) "Lung Cancer, Cardiopulmonary Mortality, and Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution," JAMA, 2002 — Landmark cohort study demonstrating that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) significantly increases mortality from lung cancer and heart disease, providing the evidentiary foundation for tighter PM2.5 air quality standards.. (2) "Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Life Expectancy in the United States," New England Journal of Medicine, 2009 — Demonstrated that reductions in PM2.5 air pollution achieved between 1980 and 2000 increased average U.S. life expectancy by 0.61 years, directly quantifying the public health value of clean air regulation.. (3) "Ambient Particulate Air Pollution, Heart Rate Variability, and Blood Markers of Inflammation in a Panel of Elderly Subjects," Environmental Health Perspectives, 2004 — Documented the cardiovascular mechanisms through which particulate pollution harms health, supporting the rationale for protective PM2.5 standards that improve air quality and reduce mortality.. |
| Francesca Dominici, PhD Clarence James Gamble Professor of Biostatistics, Population and Data Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Co-Director, Harvard Data Science Initiative fdominic@hsph.harvard.edu |
(1) "Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Hospital Admission for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases," JAMA, 2006 — Landmark study of Medicare hospitalizations showing that short-term increases in PM2.5 significantly increase emergency hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory disease across the entire U.S.. (2) "Air Pollution and Mortality in the Medicare Population," New England Journal of Medicine, 2017 — Analysis of 60 million Medicare beneficiaries demonstrating that long-term exposure to air pollution at levels below current EPA standards still increases mortality risk, supporting tighter standards.. (3) "Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Other Reasons for Emergency Department Visits Attributable to Fine Particulate Air Pollution," Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 2009 — Quantified the emergency department visits attributable to fine particle pollution, providing a measure of the immediate health benefits from air quality improvements.. |
| Joel Schwartz, PhD Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health jschwartz@hsph.harvard.edu |
(1) "Air Pollution and Daily Mortality: A Review and Meta Analysis," Environmental Research, 1994 — Early systematic review demonstrating that short-term air pollution increases daily mortality even at concentrations below existing standards, informing downward revision of air quality standards.. (2) "Is Daily Mortality Associated Specifically with Fine Particles?," Journal of Air and Waste Management Association, 1996 — Established the specific association between PM2.5 — the fine fraction of particulate matter — and mortality, guiding the EPA's decision to set separate PM2.5 ambient air quality standards.. (3) "Who Is Sensitive to the Effects of Particulate Air Pollution?," Epidemiologic Reviews, 2004 — Identified the population subgroups — elderly, diabetics, those with heart disease — most sensitive to air pollution, informing protective standards that safeguard the most vulnerable.. |
| Mark A. Fricker, MD, PhD Deputy Director, Clean Air Markets Division, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
(1) "Progress and Challenges in U.S. Air Quality: An Assessment of Clean Air Act Effectiveness," Environmental Science and Technology, 2021 — Comprehensive evaluation of Clean Air Act outcomes showing a 78% reduction in six major air pollutants since 1970, documenting the health and economic returns to clean air regulation.. (2) "Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act: Fourth Prospective Study," EPA Office of Air and Radiation, 2020 — Estimated that Clean Air Act regulations produce $30 in health and economic benefits for every $1 spent on compliance, providing the definitive cost-benefit analysis for air quality standards.. (3) "Air Quality Planning for Fine Particle Reductions: From Data to Standards," Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 2018 — Described the regulatory process from epidemiological evidence through standard-setting to implementation planning for PM2.5 reductions, serving as a model for evidence-based air quality governance.. |
| Mary D. Nichols, JD Former Chair, California Air Resources Board; Visiting Scholar, Columbia Law School |
(1) "California's Air Quality Journey: Lessons for the Nation," Annual Review of Public Health, 2019 — Reviewed four decades of California air quality regulation, documenting how the state's vehicle emission standards and clean energy policies produced dramatic air quality improvements that became federal models.. (2) "Cleaner Cars from the Start: The Case for a Federal Zero-Emission Vehicle Standard," UCLA Law Review, 2021 — Made the legal and public health case for a national zero-emission vehicle standard modeled on California's program as the most effective path to reducing transportation-related air pollution.. (3) "The Role of State Regulations in Advancing National Air Quality Goals," Environmental Law Reporter, 2015 — Analyzed how state-level air quality innovation — particularly California's vehicle emission rules — drives federal standard improvements and accelerates national air quality progress.. |
| Daniel A. Farber, JD Sho Sato Professor of Law, UC Berkeley School of Law; Director, Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment dfarber@law.berkeley.edu |
(1) "Pollution Markets and Social Equity: Analyzing the Fairness of Cap and Trade," Ecology Law Quarterly, 2012 — Evaluated the environmental justice implications of air pollution cap-and-trade systems and proposed design features to ensure that market-based air quality tools improve air quality equitably.. (2) "The Case for Stronger Air Quality Standards: Legal and Scientific Foundations," Environmental Law, 2019 — Made the legal and scientific argument for tightening EPA national ambient air quality standards to reflect current epidemiological evidence on air pollution health risks.. (3) "Rethinking the Role of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Environmental Regulation: Health Benefits as the Baseline," University of Chicago Law Review, 2016 — Argued that cost-benefit analysis for air quality standards could treat health protection as the primary objective rather than an economic tradeoff, informing EPA standard-setting methodology.. |
| Michelle L. Bell, PhD Professor of Environmental Health, Yale School of Public Health michelle.bell@yale.edu |
(1) "The Importance of Baseline Ozone Concentration for Determining Benefit of Ozone Reductions on Mortality," Environmental Research Letters, 2007 — Demonstrated that the health benefits of ozone reductions are largest in areas with the highest baseline pollution levels, informing EPA's geographic prioritization of ozone standard enforcement.. (2) "Ozone and Short-Term Mortality in 95 US Urban Communities, 1987-2000," JAMA, 2004 — National multi-city study establishing the causal link between ambient ozone levels and mortality, providing the epidemiological foundation for the 2008 and 2015 revisions to the national ozone standard.. (3) "Seasonal and Regional Short-Term Effects of Fine Particles on Hospital Admissions in 202 US Counties, 1999-2005," American Journal of Epidemiology, 2008 — Documented seasonal and regional variation in PM2.5 health effects, showing that summer haze and winter wood smoke require differentiated regulatory strategies to improve air quality.. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't the United States rank among the top 35 countries for best urban air quality?
The US averages approximately 8.9 µg/m³ in PM2.5 concentration, driven by fossil fuel dependence, heavy vehicle use, industrial emissions, and increasing wildfire smoke worsened by climate change. Cities like Bakersfield, CA (18.6 µg/m³) and Fresno, CA (16.5 µg/m³) significantly exceed both federal and World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards.
Which US cities have the worst air quality and why?
Bakersfield, CA, Fresno, CA, and Phoenix, AZ consistently rank among the worst for PM2.5 pollution due to agricultural emissions, vehicle traffic, geography that traps pollutants, and increasingly severe wildfire smoke from the western United States.
How does wildfire smoke affect US air quality?
Wildfire smoke from the western US has degraded air quality in previously clean regions across the country, demonstrating how climate change directly worsens pollution outcomes. This seasonal wildfire effect is a key reason the US struggles to maintain consistent air quality improvements despite regulatory progress since 2005.
Are low-income and minority communities more affected by poor air quality in the US?
Yes. Significant environmental justice gaps exist, with high-pollution burdens falling disproportionately on low-income and minority communities located near highways and industrial facilities. Inconsistent enforcement of air quality standards across states worsens these disparities.
What has Finland done to achieve some of the world's cleanest urban air?
Finland implemented strict regulations exceeding EU requirements, transitioned its energy grid to approximately 47% renewable energy using nuclear, hydropower, and wind, and expanded district heating systems powered by low-emission biomass and waste heat recovery. Low Emission Zones in city centers restrict high-emission vehicles, and over 150 monitoring stations provide citizens with real-time air quality data.
What steps could the US take to improve urban air quality based on international models?
The US could accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels in electricity generation and transportation, implement low-emission zones in major cities, strengthen and consistently enforce air quality standards nationwide, and expand renewable energy infrastructure. Addressing agricultural and industrial emission sources, combined with targeted environmental justice policies, would further reduce pollution burdens on vulnerable communities.
About the Author
Ronald Bonfilio has devoted his career to public service spanning more than five decades. His service began with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, where he conducted medical laboratory research at Fort Detrick and at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He subsequently held a distinguished series of federal positions, including roles with the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Agency for International Development (Vietnam), the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the U.S. State Department (Iraq), where he served as a Senior Economic Advisor and Agricultural Advisor. He also served 15 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office as a Program Analyst and Auditor.
Ronald Bonfilio holds a degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, and degrees in Chemistry and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is a former Certified Public Accountant.