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News Articles: air quality

FILE - In this June 3, 2017, file photo, the coal-fired Plant Scherer, one of the nation's top carbon dioxide emitters, stands in the distance in Juliette, Ga. Global carbon dioxide emissions related to energy use are being forecast to rise significantly this year, driven by a resurgence in the use of coal to generate electricity, the International Energy Agency says. The IEA

Tagged as: 

  • Health

The latest red flag for these Georgia doctors? Poor air quality

A coalition of health care providers is urging the state and federal government to get serious about pollution.

May 08, 2025
|
By:
  • Sofi Gratas
A layer of smog lingers above downtown Los Angeles in 2024. Millions of Americans are still breathing in unhealthy air, despite long-term progress toward cleaning up many sources of pollution, according to the 2025 State of the Air report.

Tagged as: 

  • Climate

Air pollution still plagues nearly half of Americans. That does a number on our health

Despite improvements in air quality in past decades, 156 million Americans still breathe in too much soot or ozone, says the annual State of the Air report from the American Lung Association.

April 23, 2025
|
By:
  • Alejandra Borunda
Front end loaders are dwarfed by the coal field at Georgia Power's Plant Scherer.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

Atlanta area fails in air quality report as U.S. sees pollution rise over time

The report, in its 26th edition, uses data collected by air quality monitors run by the Environmental Protection Agency.

April 23, 2025
|
By:
  • Sofi Gratas
Some gas lines were still burning in Altadena, California, after the Eaton fire passed through a burned neighborhood. Crews were working to cut off gas to the area. Smoke and ash from the LA-area fires blanketed the region. Experts suggest care while cleaning up, even far from the immediate burn zones.

Tagged as: 

  • Climate

Is the air quality index actually useful right now?

The air has improved in the LA region as firefighters get blazes under control, but there are questions about how safe the air actually is.

January 18, 2025
|
By:
  • Alejandra Borunda
Nathan Klaus, Senior Wildlife Biologist for the Georgia DNR explaining the important of starting the burn on the perimeter. The native long-leaf pine, behind Klaus, is thriving at Sand Hill Wildlife Management Area and protected through fire. Kala Hunter khunter@ledger-enquirer.com

Tagged as: 

  • News

Good fire days are shrinking in Georgia. What it means for wildfires and smoke pollution

The number of days that Georgia can now perform “prescribed burning” is shrinking as a result of climate change, adding to the already delicate balance of the fire prevention action.

February 12, 2024
|
By:
  • Kala Hunter
A pedestrian walks along the roadside amid heavy smoggy conditions in New Delhi. Delhi is considered the world's most polluted megacity, with a melange of factory and vehicle emissions exacerbated by seasonal agricultural fires.

Tagged as: 

  • Global Health

Can anything stop the toxic smog of New Delhi?

It's considered the world's most polluted megacity. The air is so bad that a new report estimates that on average each resident loses 12 years of life. Here's what they're doing about it.

December 08, 2023
|
By:
  • Diaa Hadid and
  • Ilma Hasan
smog map

Tagged as: 

  • News

Have you noticed a haze in the air? Here’s why Georgia is dealing with smoke

In parts of South and Middle Georgia, residents woke up this morning to hazy skies — a result of a renewed blanketing of the Southeast by Canadian wildfire smoke.

October 04, 2023
|
By:
  • Gautama Mehta
Commuters make their way down a smoggy road in Lahore, Pakistan in 2022. Extreme heat waves make air pollution, like smog, worse.

Tagged as: 

  • Climate

Extreme heat makes air quality worse–that's bad for health

Air quality around the world suffered in 2022 because of climate-induced extreme heat, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Association.

September 06, 2023
|
By:
  • Alejandra Borunda
The Statue of Liberty is seen June 7 through a haze-filled sky from the Staten Island Ferry in New York. The smoke from Canadian wildfires that drifted into the U.S. led to a spike in people with asthma visiting emergency rooms — particularly in the New York area.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

Smoke from Canadian wildfires sent more asthma sufferers to the emergency room

Centers for Disease Control studies increased asthma-related ER visits by 17% nationwide during 19 of the smokiest days. On the worst air quality day in New York state, those visits spiked 82%.

August 25, 2023
|
By:
  • The Associated Press
Poor indoor air quality can contribute to health problems. Letting in fresh air, keeping air filters changed and using air purifiers can help.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

Indoor pollution can make you sick. Here's how to keep your home's air clean

Poor air quality can drive you indoors, but do you know what you're breathing inside your home? Here's the latest on optimizing ventilation and other air-clearing strategies.

August 18, 2023
|
By:
  • Ari Daniel
Pockets of Code Red air quality levels peppered the U.S. and lingered above Macon as smoke from Canadian wildfires continued last week.

Tagged as: 

  • Weather

Macon had Georgia’s worst air quality last week, thanks to Canadian wildfires, ‘heat dome’

Smoke from a record-setting season of Canadian wildfires has floated across the United States all summer, and last week, Georgia experienced the consequences.

July 26, 2023
|
By:
  • Gautama Mehta
Canada's smoke blanketed the Midwest less than three weeks ago.

Tagged as: 

  • Environment

Minnesota and Wisconsin issue air quality alerts amid a new round of Canada smoke

Parts of the Midwest are seeing unhealthy air quality this weekend, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana and the Dakotas. It can be most dangerous for kids, older people and other sensitive groups.

July 15, 2023
|
By:
  • Juliana Kim

Tagged as: 

  • News

EPD climatologist explains air quality measurements

State environmental officials monitor air quality at 40 sites across the state through a program that’s been in place for 40 years.

July 12, 2023
|
By:
  • Sarah Kallis
Fireworks burst on the National Mall above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol on July 4, 2022.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

9 fun conversation starters for your Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is a big day for fireworks, parades and neighborhood cookouts. Here are some Independence Day-themed facts to share with friends, family and neighbors at that BBQ.

July 04, 2023
|
By:
  • Leigh Walden
An aerial drone display by approximately 500 drones hovers over the Garonne River in Bordeaux, France on June 23, 2023. Some U.S. cities are planning their own drone shows as an alternative to Fourth of July fireworks.

Tagged as: 

  • National

Fireworks can make bad air quality even worse. For some cities, the answer is drones

After days of smoky conditions caused by Canadian wildfires, some U.S. cities are looking to play it safe this Fourth of July with innovative alternatives to their fireworks displays.

July 03, 2023
|
By:
  • Emily Olson
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