Detroit among worst areas in the nation for year-round particle pollution, report finds

DETROIT – A report found that Detroit is among the worst areas in the nation for year-round particle pollution.

According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report, Detroit was named the sixth worst in the nation for year-round particle pollution.

The State of the Air reported grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level air pollution, and year-round and short-term spikes in particle pollution over a three-year period. The report collected data from 2021 to 2023.

Here’s what the report found:

Ground-level Ozone Pollution in the Metro Detroit area

• Number of Unhealthy Days per Year: 6.2 days (5.7 days in 2024 report)
• Grade: F (F in 2024 report)
• National Ranking: 45th worst (33rd worst in 2024 report)

Particle Pollution in the Metro Detroit area

• Number of Unhealthy Days Per Year: 8.5 days (4.8 days in 2024 report)
• Grade: D (F in 2024 report)
• National Ranking: 22nd (35th worst in 2024 report)

Year-Round Average Level of Particle Pollution in Metro Detroit area

• Grade: Failing grade, pollution levels above the federal standard (failing grade in 2024 report)
• National Ranking: 6th worst (13th worst in 2024 report)

You can read the full report below: