Air Quality In The Boston Area Is Getting Worse, Report Card Says. See The Grades For Massachusetts.

CBS Boston

April 25, 2025

Air quality in the metro area that includes Boston, Worcester and Providence has gotten worse, a new report by the American Lung Association says. The "State of the Air Report" says wildfire smoke from Canada that was widespread in the New England region in 2023 is a big factor in the decline.

The report looked at daily and long-term levels of particle pollution, as well as daily measures of ozone "smog" between 2021 and 2023. Worcester County saw higher daily particle pollution levels, causing its prior "B" grade to fall to a "C," the report explained. Worcester had an average number of 1.7 unhealthy air quality days per year, and the report notes that even a short-term spike in particle pollution "can be extremely dangerous and even deadly."

"Although year-round particle pollution levels showed slight improvement, the metro area remains the second worst in the Northeast for this pollutant," the report says.

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