In the most recent monitoring period (2017-2019), Tacoma ranked 14th for short-term particle pollution out of 217 metropolitan areas nationally, according to an annual air quality report published by the American Lung Association (ALA). These increases correlate to increasingly severe wildfire seasons that have caused stretches of unhealthy air quality in Tacoma. In recent years, these improvements have largely been reversed, as the frequency of unhealthy PM2.5 days rose to 6.7 days in 2016-2017 and 7.5 days in 2017-2019. Pierce County has, in fact, never met PM2.5 attainment levels despite long-term improvements notable in 2014-1016, with just 3.7 unhealthy days (0.5 above the federal allowance). This excess has caused Tacoma to be deemed “nonattainment” for short-term PM2.5, the city’s only nonattainment pollution rating. Pierce County, of which Tacoma is a part, averages 7.5 unhealthy PM2.5 days annually, a figure more than double the US EPA allowance of 3.2 unhealthy PM2.5 days annually. 2 Moreover, a number of days each year breach “unhealthy” air quality thresholds, often as a result of nearby wildfires. Bellingham, WA air quality: 2019 average of 5.1 μg/m 3 (122 miles away)ĭespite achieving attainment for annual PM2.5 concentrations, the WHO states that no level of PM2.5 exposure is safe from health impacts.Redmond, WA air quality: 2019 average of 5.7μg/m 3 (43 miles away).Olympia air quality: 2019 average of 6 μg/m 3 (26.1 miles away).Seattle air quality: 2019 average of 7.5 μg/m 3 (25 miles away).Kent air quality: 2019 average of 6.6 μg/m 3 (13.2 miles away). Washington cities furthest from Tacoma tended to fare best. Among neighboring cities, Tacoma had the highest annual PM2.5 average. In 2019, Tacoma air quality averaged an annual PM2.5 concentration of 7.9 μg/m 3, thereby meeting both the US EPA and World Health Organization (WHO) standards for annual PM2.5 exposure (set at 12 μg/m 3 and 10 μg/m 3, respectively). These near-microscopic particles, often including dust, soot, ash, and chemicals, are so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs upon inhalation, often passing into the circulatory system and causing a range of far-reaching health effects, from irritation of the eyes and airways, chest pain, arrhythmias, and bronchitis to heart and lung disease, cancer, and early death. PM2.5 describes airborne particulate matter (PM) measuring 2.5 micrograms or smaller. In the United States, PM2.5 and ozone pollution are two pollutants of primary concern because of their prevalence at dangerous levels. The occurrence of these “unhealthy” days has been on the rise in the last 5 years. While the vast majority of days in the city are deemed healthy and annual averages reflect this generally acceptable status, an average of 9 days a year are classified as “unhealthy” by United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. How is the air quality in Tacoma, Washington?Īir quality in Tacoma, Washington varies based on seasonal and meteorological conditions.
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