American Lung Association releases air quality report for Charleston area

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The American Lung Association released its State of the Air report Wednesday, showing Charleston’s air quality has mixed results.

This is the fifth time Charleston has been ranked among the cleanest in the nation regarding daily levels of particle pollution; however, it shows that ozone smog levels are on the rise.

Both types of pollution are widespread and can impact your health since they can cause premature death, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health effects.

According to the report, the Charleston Metro area has zero unhealthy days per year caused by particle pollution, but for ground-level ozone pollution, it has 0.7 unhealthy days.

Danna Thompson, director of advocacy at the Lung Association in South Carolina, said lawmakers in the state should support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and take necessary action to clean up air pollution.

You can view the report and see how other cities in South Carolina rank by clicking here.