You Know What is Scary? Not Knowing What's in the Air You're Breathing

You can’t protect yourself from air pollution if you don’t know what you’re breathing. To help address this challenge, the Lung Association is exploring an innovative approach—using data from satellites to fill information gaps.

Recently, we released the inaugural report, “Something in the Air: Bridging the Air Quality Data Gap with Satellite Technology.” This is the first in a new series of reports designed to supplement the Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air.” This current report is dedicated to exploring and expanding the role of emerging technologies in air quality monitoring, with a focus on protecting public health.

The “Something in the Air” report marks the innovative potential of satellite-derived data in addressing notable gaps in air quality monitoring throughout the country. Many communities lack information about local air quality, limiting their ability to assess pollution risks accurately. Satellite technology can bridge these gaps, offering a broader perspective on pollution patterns across unmonitored areas and air quality nationwide. This approach can empower communities with insights to take more informed action in addressing air quality concerns.

The Promise of Satellite-Derived Data

While ground-based monitors are the gold standard for measuring air quality, particularly for particle pollution, satellite-derived data offers an innovative approach and valuable complement. These evolving data products rapidly evolve as science advances, algorithms are refined and analysis methods improve. These technologies help identify high-pollution areas that may have previously been overlooked. However, satellite-derived data comes with limitations, such as sensitivity to atmospheric conditions like cloud cover and challenges in capturing precise, localized measurements. Despite these challenges, its evolving capabilities hold significant promise for improving our understanding of air quality and supporting effective public health strategies. NASA’s satellite data, for example, has been instrumental in identifying areas affected by wildfires, dust storms, and urban pollution plumes, providing actionable insights for local and state governments.

Filling in Data Gaps

More than two-thirds of the 3,143 counties in the U.S. lack regulatory monitors. However, the lack of monitoring does not necessarily mean the absence of pollution. Satellite-derived data reveals that many unmonitored areas experience concerning levels of pollution, posing risks to millions, particularly in communities within larger metropolitan areas, near major emission sources or wildfire-prone regions. Preliminary estimates suggest that as many as 300 of the 2,700 unmonitored counties in the U.S. might have earned a failing grade in the “State of the Air” report. This estimate is based on satellite-derived, annual levels of PM_2.5 in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, and could be interpreted as areas that would have registered high pollution if ground-level monitors had been in place.

How Integrating Satellite Data Can Help Support Stronger Environmental Protections

The report says that using satellite data along with regular air monitoring can greatly improve how national air quality standards are followed. These standards help protect public health, but there are gaps in monitoring, especially in rural areas and places affected by wildfires. By combining these data sources, we can get a clearer picture of air quality, leading to better policy choices and stronger environmental protections across the country. For example, integrating satellite data with ground-based measurements has the potential to uncover pollution patterns that are missed by traditional monitors, as seen in Collin County, TX. Home to over one million residents, this area has a population half of which are people of color and a quarter being children under 18. Nearby counties such as Dallas and Tarrant have failing PM_2.5 grades, leaving residents underinformed on official monitoring data and limits their ability to advocate for change. Looking closely at air quality in these counties helps us understand and reduce health risks while showing the challenges of limited monitoring in many areas. A better understanding of regions without official monitoring gives us important information about pollution hotspots that might otherwise go unnoticed.

A Spotlight on the Fine Particle Pollution Problem

The report focuses on how fine particle pollution, which is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles, is affecting the air we breathe. Particle pollution (PM_2.5) comes from wildfires, wood-burning stoves, power plants, gasoline- and diesel-engines in cars, trucks, and other sources. Though these particles are microscopic, this type of pollution can be deadly. Data shows that PM_2.5 can lead to premature death in individuals with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, cardiovascular symptoms, and increased respiratory symptoms, including airway irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

The report highlights six counties—Collin County, Texas; Forsyth County, Georgia; Marion County, Oregon; Mohave County, Arizona; St. Charles County, Missouri; and St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana—that rank within the worst 2% of satellite-derived particle pollution estimates for unmonitored counties across the nation. The six counties were selected to represent geographic and demographic diversity as well as the range of broader issues faced by many unmonitored regions across the country. These counties serve as examples that reflect the many unmonitored regions in the U.S., where high levels of particle pollution leave millions of people unaware of the air they breathe. Without access to critical air quality information, residents in these areas lack the guidance needed to mitigate health risks and take protective actions against pollution exposure.

Why it Matters

The "Something in the Air" report builds on the highly regarded "State of the Air" report, which is known for its rigorous methodology in assessing air quality across the United States. However, "Something in the Air" takes these findings further by focusing on the data gaps in monitoring populations who may remain underinformed about their air quality. More complete data can help ensure that air quality assessments and interventions are inclusive of all regions, particularly those most at risk.

While satellite data isn’t meant to replace the precision of regulatory monitors, it extends our ability to assess air quality on a national scale, offering insights where ground-based monitors aren’t available. With 39% of Americans—131.2 million people—living in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, this study emphasizes the need for supplemental data to help inform those who are underinformed about their air quality. By harnessing emerging technologies, we can ensure more equitable pollution control measures, providing every community—no matter how remote—with the information needed to safeguard their health and advocate for cleaner air.

To learn more, including recommendations for action at the federal, state and individual levels, check out our report.