According to the report, Coeur d'Alene is one of the cleanest cities for ozone air pollution, and Butte and Kootenai are two of the cleanest counties.

The report also shows that people in Ada and Shoshone counties breathe air that is often dangerous even to healthy individuals as well as those who are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, including infants and children, the elderly, people with lung disease like asthma, people with heart disease or diabetes, in addition to anyone who works or exercises outdoors.

Ada County received a "B" for short-term particle pollution, a combination of soot, dust and aerosols suspended in the air that is a byproduct of diesel vehicles and wood stoves.  The county also received an "F" for ozone (smog), the most common air pollutant whose prevalence during the summer months can cause symptoms ranging from shortness of breath and asthma attacks to chest pain, heart attacks, and even premature death.

The State of the Air report is an annual national air quality report card that assigns A-F grades to counties across the country and ranks cities and counties most affected by the three most widespread types of pollution (ozone or smog, particle pollution or soot and 24-hour particle pollution levels). 

The 2010 report uses the most recent quality-assured air pollution data, collected in 2006, 2007 and 2008.  The report also details trends for the 25 most polluted cities across the country.  Grades for the 1,000 counties with air pollution monitors can be found by typing in a zip code at www.stateoftheair.org. 

FIND OUT MORE...

You can read more about the report’s findings and learn how air pollution effects your health at http://www.lungusa.org/about-us/our-impact/top-stories/americas-cities-show-success-fighting-for-air.html.

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