For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie Greger, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Climate Impacts and Pollution Continue to Threaten Our Clean Air - NJ Receives Failing Grades in 2025 State of the Air Report
On April 23rd, the American Lung Association released their 2025 State of the Air Report, which examines the impact of two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants across the country, fine particles and ground level ozone. New Jersey’s State of the Air Report Card is available here.
According to the report, 5 New Jersey counties received a grade of “F,” with 4 counties receiving a “D” for high ozone days. In terms of particle pollution, 11 out of 14 counties received a “D” grade. Nationally, the New York City/Newark region (inclusive of NY, NJ, CT, and PA) ranked 16 worst for high ozone days out of 228 metropolitan areas, and 58 worst for 24-hour particle pollution.
Overall, the 2025 State of the Air Report found that 46% of Americans are living in places that receive failing grades for unhealthy levels of pollution, which is 25 million more people compared to last year’s report. Air pollution continues to be exacerbated by climate impacts such as extreme heat, drought, and wildfires.
NJ Sierra Club Chapter Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, made the following statement:
“The American Lung Association’s State of the Air report card could not have been more timely, as New Jersey is currently experiencing the impacts of one of the state’s worst wildfires in 20 years in Ocean County. Climate events like this drive New Jersey’s already high levels of ozone and particle pollution even higher.
On top of increasing and worsening climate events, our state is situated between major urban hubs like New York City and Philadelphia, causing both the Northern and Southern parts of the state to be designated as Moderate Nonattainment under the 2015 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards (“NAAQS”) for ground-level ozone issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).
Because of this, and as evident in the 2025 report findings, New Jersey continues to live in areas that are designated as failing to meet EPA’s health-based NAAQS, and residents continue to experience high ozone levels in excess of health-based limits. Ozone exposure even at levels below what NJ residents regularly experience has significant health impacts which are disproportionately felt by environmental justice communities.
Our state’s failing and worsening grades compared to last year make it extremely clear that climate change is making it more difficult to fight for clean air, and that air pollution is not felt equally across New Jersey. We need urgent and bold action to mitigate toxic air emissions and greenhouse gases, and today’s report by the American Lung Association is a stark reminder of the human and health costs of inaction.”
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.