Pollution Costs Californians

CALIFORNIANS PAY FOR AIR POLLUTION WITH THEIR HEALTH 

Our worst-in-the-nation air pollution leads to more emergency room visits, more money spent on medications, and more missed days at work and school. Nearly all Californians – 88 percent - live in a community impacted by dangerous pollutants. California is home to 5 of the 10 most polluted American cities by ozone and both short- and long-term particle pollution.  

Transportation, power generation, refineries and other local pollution sources add significantly to costly health burdens. Cutting pollution from these pollution sources that contribute to costly medical emergencies, hospitalizations, asthma attacks, lost school days, lost work days and premature deaths must continue to be a priority. 

For more than 50 years, California has led the nation in clean air programs through its authority under the Clean Air Act. Today, this authority is under threat, and consequently so is our air.