Metro Atlanta Receives ‘F’ for Ozone Pollution in 2025 Air Quality Report

American Lung Association ranks Atlanta 3rd-worst in Southeast for smog

Metro Atlanta’s air quality has taken a step backward, earning an “F” grade for ozone pollution in the American Lung Association’s latest State of the Air report. Released Wednesday, the 2025 report ranks the metro area as the third-worst in the Southeast for ozone levels, trailing only Memphis, Tennessee, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ozone pollution—commonly known as smog—has become a growing concern, with Atlanta recording an average of 5.5 days per year with unhealthy levels of ozone from 2021 to 2023. That’s a sharp increase from 1.8 days in the previous reporting cycle, dropping the city’s grade from a “C” to an “F.”

“Many areas in the Southeast saw worsening air quality, similar to what Atlanta experienced in this year’s report,” said Katherine Pruitt, senior director of clean air policy at the Lung Association. “Atlantans drive a lot, and motor vehicle emissions are a big part of the region’s problems.”

Although Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD) says metro Atlanta remains in compliance with federal air quality standards, the state agency is monitoring trends and evaluating whether additional action is needed. “The Air Protection Branch is continuously evaluating the air quality and the need for further action,” said EPD spokesperson Sara Lips.

Particle Pollution Also Worsens

Atlanta’s air quality also suffered in terms of particulate matter—tiny particles produced by vehicle exhaust, construction dust, and combustion. The city was downgraded from a “B” to a “C” grade for short-term spikes in particle pollution, recording 1.7 unhealthy days compared to just 0.3 last year.

In terms of year-round particle pollution, metro Atlanta tied with Augusta for fourth-worst in the Southeast and retained a failing grade.

Despite the recent setbacks, the city has made long-term progress. In the late 1990s, Atlanta regularly recorded more than 90 high-ozone days per year. Today’s numbers, while still concerning, are a fraction of that thanks to federal environmental regulations and technological advances.

Public Health at Risk

The report warns that both smog and particulate matter are dangerous to public health at all ages. “This air pollution is a threat to human health at every stage of life,” said Danna Thompson, the Lung Association’s Georgia advocacy director. “It increases the risk of premature birth, worsens heart and lung disease, and shortens lives.”

On a national scale, Atlanta ranked 48th-worst for ozone pollution out of 228 U.S. metro areas—dropping significantly from its 67th-place ranking the previous year. Still, no Georgia cities appeared on the list of the 25 most polluted areas nationwide.

By contrast, California continues to dominate the worst rankings, with Los Angeles leading the nation in ozone pollution. “The most polluted cities tend to be large, sunny, near major pollution sources, and increasingly affected by wildfires,” Pruitt said.

BY THE NUMBERS: Atlanta’s 2025 Air Quality Report

Ground-Level Ozone Pollution

• Unhealthy days per year: 5.5
  
• Grade: F (down from C in 2024)
  

Short-Term Particle Pollution

• Unhealthy days per year: 1.7
  
• Grade: C (down from B in 2024)
  

Year-Round Particle Pollution

• Grade: Failing (unchanged from 2024)
  

Nearly half of Americans now live in areas with unhealthy air, according to the report, and experts say extreme heat and wildfires could make conditions worse in years to come.