A report from the American Lung Association released Wednesday gives all three of Delaware’s counties failing grades for ozone pollution for an eighth straight year.
The state did show signs of improvement though. New Castle County and Kent County went from 28th worst in the country for ozone pollution to 35th worst, of 228 metropolitan areas, according to Deborah Brown, president and CEO for the American Lung Association, Mid-Atlantic.
Sussex Country also improved from the 43rd worst area for ozone pollution to 60th worst overall.
The report also measured the state’s short-term particle pollution levels. New Castle County saw an increase in fine particle pollution, but Kent and Sussex Counties received the best possible rating for the fifth straight year.
“As part of the Salisbury, Maryland, Delaware metropolitan area, these two counties were listed among the cleanest in the nation for this pollutant measure,” Brown said.
Delaware’s year-round particle pollution levels also decreased. Brown credits clean air legislation for the improvement in the state's air quality.
"We've spent the past 10 years of cleaning up emissions from power plants, cars and trucks," Brown said "All of those things have really contributed to get cleaner air."
Fine particle pollution is often called “soot.” It comes from cars, diesel engines and coal burning power plants. This type of pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause heart attacks and lead to a stroke.
Ozone pollution is formed in the atmosphere on hot, sunny days and causes inflammation of the lungs.
