The Glades area south of Lake Okeechobee enjoys some of the best air quality in the country according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report released in April.

The State of the Air report looks at two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants, fine particles and ozone. The air quality data used in the report are collected at official monitoring sites across the United States by the federal, state, local and Tribal governments. The Lung Association calculates values reflecting the air pollution problem and assigns grades for daily and long-term measures of particle pollution and daily measures of ozone. 

Urban areas suffer from the worst air pollution, according to the report. Bakersfield, California topped the list for worst short-term particle pollution.

While Okeechobee, Hendry and Glades counties do not have air quality sensors, nearby counties of Palm Beach County, Martin County and Highlands County were all rated “A” in air quality by the American Lung Association.

Most of the 35 (out of 67) Florida counties with air quality monitors received “A” ratings for high ozone days, Escambia County and Miami-Dade County were rated B and Hillsborough County received a “C” rating.

In the particle pollution ratings, Palm Beach County received an “A” rating with zero days of health risks from particle pollution. Palm Beach County had the lowest particle pollution level in the state. One of Palm Beach County's air quality sensors is in Belle Glade.

Only 15 of Florida’s 67 counties have sensors to measure particle pollution. Broward County was rated “C.” Duval, Hillsborough, Leon and Miami Dade counties were rated “C.” Brevard, Escambia, Lee, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties were rated “A.”

According to the American Lung Association, ozone and particle pollution are linked to increased risk of premature birth and lower birth weights in newborns. The report also notes:

• People of color and people with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by air pollution that puts them at higher risk for illness.
• Breathing in particle pollution can increase the risk of lung cancer.
• Climate change increases the risk of wildfires whose smoke spreads dangerous particle pollution.
• Millions of people are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, including children, older adults and people with lung diseases such as asthma and COPD.
• Recent updates to the Air Quality Index give the public more accurate information about the health risk from air pollution, and when to take measures to protect themselves on bad air days.
• Breathing ozone irritates the lungs, resulting in inflammation -- as if your lungs had a bad sunburn.
• Particle pollution exposure from wildfire smoke harms health in ways that range from mild irritation to serious illness and premature death.
• Particles in air pollution can be smaller than 1/30th the diameter of a human hair. When you inhale them, they are small enough to get past the body's natural defenses.
• More than 131 million people (nearly 40% of Americans) live in U.S. counties that received an F for either ozone or particle pollution in State of the Air 2024 report.
• Particle pollution can cause early death and heart attacks, strokes and emergency room visits.
• If you live or work near a busy highway, traffic pollution may put you at greater risk of health harm.

The 2024 “State of the Air” report is using EPA’s new, more protective national air quality standard for year-round levels of fine particle pollution, which allows for the recognition that many more people are breathing unhealthy air than was acknowledged under the previous weak standard.