Birmingham area receives poor grades on air quality report
An annual report card on air quality found that Jefferson County has some of the worst air pollution in the southeast.
The American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air report used research from the Environmental Protection Agency to measure air quality by year-round particle pollution, short-term particle pollution and ozone quality.
Together, Birmingham, Hoover, and Talladega nationally ranked as the 18th worst area for year-round particle pollution and the 35th worst area for high ozone days.
Jefferson County received an F rating for its high ozone days. Even though the county has had fewer high ozone days since the 2000s, it still doesn’t have a passing grade from the ALA.
From 2005-2007, Jefferson County saw an annual weighted average number of 44.7 high ozone days, but saw 4.3 days in 2019-2021.

According to Ashley Lyerly, Senior Director of Advocacy at ALA, Jefferson County has seen steady improvement over the years.
“Having hotter temperatures is making it harder for us to clean up our ozone. And so I think having fewer unhealthy days is great, but still we’re falling behind the nation as it relates to our ozone,” Lyerly said.
Jefferson County received a B rating for 24 hour particle pollution, and a passing grade for annual particle pollution.


“So we’re not getting worse. But I still think we can do a lot as a county, as a state, as a city, as a nation,” Lyerly said.
Lyerly credited the nation’s air quality improvement to the Clean Air Act.
She said continued use of coal power plants and diesel engines are the main causes of local air pollution.
ALA is pushing the EPA to extend their emission standards to reduce pollution that results from the oil and gas industry.
She said individuals can reduce air pollution by moving away from the use of diesel and gasoline vehicles, conserving power and avoiding burning leaves, trash and wood.
In the Texas flood zone, volunteers help reunite lost pets with their owners
Hundreds of pets have been reported missing after the devastating floods in central Texas. Volunteers have been combing through debris to help reunite them with their owners.
Here’s a list of Trump’s tariff letters so far and the rates they threaten
Finding it hard to track the latest U.S. trade policy state of play? Here's a look the deals the president has announced and the rates he's so far threatened to impose in letters to global leaders.
Trump praises disaster response in Texas while FEMA’s future is murky
The president and first lady visited Kerrville to meet local officials and families of the victims of the recent flooding. Trump promised federal support, but his team emphasized the state's role.
Where to find information about flood risk to your home
Many people in the United States receive little or no information about flood risk when they move into a new home or apartment. Here's how you can learn about your flood risk.
‘Helping every dang soul’: Beloved camp director was among those lost in Texas flooding
Jane Ragsdale ran the Heart O' the Hills camp for girls in Kerr County. The camp was between sessions when the deluge hit. The only person killed there was Ragsdale.
Federal judge orders stop to indiscriminate immigration raids in Los Angeles
Civil rights groups alleged that ICE and Border Patrol agents are rounding people up based on their race, and denying them access to lawyers. A federal judge said there's evidence what they're doing is illegal.