By the Numbers
This many Massachusetts deaths in 2019 were attributed to air pollution.
What is 2,780
Of the 2,780 pollution-related deaths in 2019, the largest number—2,185—were caused by this disease.
What is lung cancer
The EPA’s current annual standard for fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) allows up to this level.
What is 12 micrograms per cubic meter
These vehicles—including cars, buses, trucks, and planes—produced two-thirds of statewide pollutant emissions.
What is the transportation sector
One recommended action for towns is converting municipal fleets to these zero-emission vehicles.
What are electric vehicles
Massachusetts children collectively lost almost this many Performance IQ points in 2019 due to fine particulate pollution.
What is 2 million
Air pollution caused 15,386 cases of this common chronic childhood illness.
What is pediatric asthma
This organization recommends a much stricter guideline of 5 micrometers/cubic meter
What is the World Health Organization
Power plants, industry, and home heating produced this many tons of pollutants in 2017.
What is 283,000 tons
Officials are encouraged to install these on public buildings to generate clean energy.
What are solar panels
The average child in Massachusetts lost this many IQ points in 2019 because of air pollution.
What is about 2 IQ points
About 308 babies in Massachusetts were born this way in 2019 due to air pollution exposure.
What is low birthweight
This County recorded the highest pollution level in 2019, at 8.26 micrograms/cubic meter
What is Suffolk County
In total, Massachusetts emitted this many tons of pollutants from combustion sources.
What is 983,000 tons
City and town governments are urged to buy this type of electricity whenever possible to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
What is Green electricity
This percentage of Massachusetts air pollution comes from burning fossil fuels.
What is more than 95%
Fine particulate matter is linked to these adult diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke.
What are non-communicable diseases
Despite meeting these federal guidelines, Massachusetts still experiences major health impacts.
What are EPA clean air standards
Fossil fuel combustion also releases these gases that drive climate change.
What are greenhouse gases
Massachusetts must push the EPA to tighten these rules.
What are federal air quality standards
The average fine particulate pollution level in Massachusetts in 2019 was this many micrograms per cubic meter.
What is 6.3 micrograms per cubic meter?
These communities experienced the highest pollution-related disease rates.
What are economically disadvantaged and socially underserved communities?
Lead author Philip Landrigan noted that health effects occur even below these federal thresholds.
What are current EPA PM2.5 guidelines
The study used this type of technology to estimate pollution levels in every city and town despite limited monitoring stations.
What is computer modeling
The report calls for an accelerated transition away from fossil fuels to these two renewable energy sources.
What are wind and solar power