The Glades area south of Lake Okeechobee enjoys some of the best air quality in the country...
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The Glades area south of Lake Okeechobee enjoys some of the best air quality in the country according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report released in April.
The State of the Air report looks at two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants, fine particles and ozone. The air quality data used in the report are collected at official monitoring sites across the United States by the federal, state, local and Tribal governments. The Lung Association calculates values reflecting the air pollution problem and assigns grades for daily and long-term measures of particle pollution and daily measures of ozone.
Urban areas suffer from the worst air pollution, according to the report. Bakersfield, California topped the list for worst short-term particle pollution.
While Okeechobee, Hendry and Glades counties do not have air quality sensors, nearby counties of Palm Beach County, Martin County and Highlands County were all rated “A” in air quality by the American Lung Association.
Most of the 35 (out of 67) Florida counties with air quality monitors received “A” ratings for high ozone days, Escambia County and Miami-Dade County were rated B and Hillsborough County received a “C” rating.
In the particle pollution ratings, Palm Beach County received an “A” rating with zero days of health risks from particle pollution. Palm Beach County had the lowest particle pollution level in the state. One of Palm Beach County's air quality sensors is in Belle Glade.
Only 15 of Florida’s 67 counties have sensors to measure particle pollution. Broward County was rated “C.” Duval, Hillsborough, Leon and Miami Dade counties were rated “C.” Brevard, Escambia, Lee, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties were rated “A.”
According to the American Lung Association, ozone and particle pollution are linked to increased risk of premature birth and lower birth weights in newborns. The report also notes:
The 2024 “State of the Air” report is using EPA’s new, more protective national air quality standard for year-round levels of fine particle pollution, which allows for the recognition that many more people are breathing unhealthy air than was acknowledged under the previous weak standard.