CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County's air quality could use some improvement, according to a new report.
The American Lung Association released its annual "State of the Air" report on Wednesday. It serves as a report card for air pollution and impacts to public health.
Nationwide, the report found that nearly 40% of Americans live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution. That's up about 11 million people from last year.
Closer to home, North Carolina received an A grade overall. However, Mecklenburg County scored a C for particle pollution. Forsyth County also scored a C for particle pollution.
South Carolina received mostly A's and B's, with Myrtle Beach and Charleston ranking among cities with the lowest air pollution.
Both ozone and particle pollution can cause premature death and other serious health effects, including asthma, heart attacks and strokes. Particle pollution can also contribute to lung cancer, researchers say.
This report looked at levels of ozone "smog," the air pollutant affecting the largest number of people in the U.S. The Charlotte metro area ranked 79th worst in the nation for high ozone days.
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