Despite the decline in air quality grades, no counties received failing grades, as noted by Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer of the American Lung Association.

New entries among the most polluted cities this year include Kalamazoo, Michigan, and two Texas cities, Brownsville and Texarkana, marking their first appearance on the list.

Casper, Wyoming, stands out as the city with the cleanest air, contrasting sharply with cities like Bakersfield, which experiences significant pollution levels.

Efforts to enhance air quality face challenges due to regulatory rollbacks and insufficient enforcement of existing environmental protections.

The American Lung Association's 2025 "State of the Air" report highlights a troubling rise in air pollution, with 156 million Americans now living in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution.

In Delaware, New Castle County maintained a 'C' grade for ozone, while Kent County's grade fell from 'B' to 'C', and Sussex County dropped from 'A' to 'B'.

Atlanta ranks as the third-worst metropolitan area in the Southeast for smog pollution and is tied for the fourth-worst in year-round soot levels alongside Augusta.

Thompson advocates for commuters to adopt alternative transportation methods to reduce emissions and improve air quality, particularly during the summer months.

While some Western states have seen improvements in air quality, the overall trend indicates rising pollution levels driven by climate change, with many rural areas lacking adequate monitoring.

Savannah has seen minimal air quality changes but has lost its status as one of the cleanest cities in the U.S., according to the report.

Katherine Pruitt from the American Lung Association emphasizes that worsening ozone levels are a major concern, particularly as hot, sunny weather exacerbates the issue.

The report serves as a critical reminder for local and federal governments to prioritize clean air initiatives and invest in sustainable solutions to combat rising pollution.