The Seattle area’s air quality is generally better than in many parts of the U.S. — but the region still experiences unhealthy levels of soot and smog pollution, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).
Why it matters: Exposure to smog and fine-particle pollution can harm lung function and contribute to diseases including strokes, heart attacks and diabetes, the group says.
The latest: The ALA’s annual “State of the Air” report ranked the Seattle-Tacoma area 8th worst nationally for short-term particle pollution.
- That means the region saw unhealthy spikes in soot and other tiny airborne particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and bloodstream.
- The Seattle-Tacoma metro area also received failing grades for ozone pollution — commonly known as smog — and year-round particle pollution, which measures average levels of soot in the air over time.
Yes, but: Out of more than 200 metros analyzed, the Seattle-Tacoma metro area ranked 64th worst for ozone pollution and 75th worst for year-round particle pollution — far from the nation’s most polluted regions…