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Emission- the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.

Plant cover- plants that grow over an entire area of land

Carbon neutral- making no net release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, especially through offsetting emissions by planting trees.

Fossil fuels- a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. They tend to cause a lot of pollution and climate issues.

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Article about pollution in Rockland and Westchester Counties

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Article about pollution in Rockland and Westchester Counties

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If you're having trouble breathing, you're probably not alone.

The American Lung Association has released its annual air quality grades and the news is not great in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Westchester County got an "F" for ozone pollution. Rockland County did slightly better, though a "D" is not a grade of which most would be proud.

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The American Lung Association also tracks particle pollution, though it was not monitored in either Westchester or Rockland. The rankings are pulled from the American Lung Association's 2018 "State of the Air" report, which uses data collected by states, cities, counties, tribes and federal agencies in 2014-2016.

There is some good news: "The air quality in Westchester County has gotten much better over the last two decades," according to Janice Nolen, the Lung Association's assistant vice president for national policy.

The county's worst years were 1997 and 1999, when there were an average of 23.7 days unhealthy air quality, down to 6.5 days in 2016, which Nolen said "is a huge improvement."

Rockland County wasn't monitored in the 1990s, but air quality has improved there, too, from 9.7 average days of unhealthy air in 2010-2012 down to 3.0 in 2016.

The greater New York City area - including the Lower Hudson Valley - is on the list of the top 10 worst cities for ozone pollution, but not for particle pollution, which the Lung Association defines as "emanate from wildfires, wood-burning devices, coal-fired power plants and diesel engines."

The northeast, including the greater New York City area, is often called the "tailpipe of the nation," Nolen said.

Nolan explained that ozone isn't an emission, "It's cooked in the atmosphere and it shows up downwind." So, wind patterns bring pollutants and ozone from Texas and Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Portland all the way to Westchester.

"The worst shows up in Fairfield, Connecticut," Nolan said.

That being said, if you travel to California, try not to breathe in.

Cities in the golden state account for eight of the top 10 worst for ozone pollution and seven of the 10 worst for particle pollution.

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Motorists move slowly through a thick fog that fell over Route 59 shortly before rush hour in Spring Valley. (Photo: Angela Gaul, The Journal News)

What is to blame for all the bad air? Climate change, according to the Lung Association.

"Near record-setting heat from our changing climate has resulted in dangerous levels of ozone in many cities across the country, making ozone an urgent health threat for millions of Americans," American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer said in a release.

If you'd like to head where the air is clean, you don't have to go that far. Burlington in Vermont is on the list of the cities with the cleanest air, is Bellingham, Washington; Honolulu, Hawaii; Palm Bay, Florida; and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Read or Share this story: https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/2018/04/19/westchester-gets-f-air-quality/532334002/

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CLOSE If you're having trouble breathing, you're probably not alone. The American Lung Association has released its annual air quality grades and the news is not great in the Lower Hudson Valley. Westchester County got an "F" for ozone pollution. Rockland County did slightly better, though a "D" is not a grade of which most would be proud.

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Smog Almost Killed New York City, Here’s How

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Graph showing where people are most at risk of air pollution related deaths

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Graph showing where people are most at risk of air pollution related deaths

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Chart showing reduction in emissions when clean energy is used

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Chart showing reduction in emissions when clean energy is used

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) campaigning for the Green New Deal

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) campaigning for the Green New Deal

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In 2013, 1 in every 10 deaths were due to air pollution worldwide.

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In 2013, 1 in every 10 deaths were due to air pollution worldwide.

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That's 5 million lives.

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Air pollution is the 4th biggest threat to human life.

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Air pollution is the 4th biggest threat to human life.

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This is behind high blood pressure, dietary risks, and smoking

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Carbon neutral energy produces little to no pollutants. Using these, instead of fossil fuels, will greatly reduce particle pollution. This, in turn, will help curtail climate change, which is responsible for hotter temperatures, creating more ozone pollution. This method will most likely be very effective, however, Congress remains divided on these legislations, due to possible short-term effects on the economy.

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Cuomo recently made a $1.4 billion dollar commitment to renewable energy. This will make half of New York's energy supply to be from renewable sources by 2030. NY-14 Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently introduced legislation called the "Green New Deal", which will make the American energy supply completely carbon-neutral by 2050.

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The reduction in plant cover due to slowed photosynthesis makes it harder for birds to find food and shelter. This can travel up the food chain, affecting birds of prey, and top-level predators.

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The ozone in the air has negatively affected trees and other plants by interfering with their ability to do photosynthesis. This has caused a reduction of plant cover in areas like the Palisades Sill.

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How long has this been           an issue for Rockland?

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How long has this been           an issue for Rockland?

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Air pollution has been an issue in Rockland County since at least 2001 (the data doesn't go back any further). However, steps have been taken, and it isn't nearly as bad today as it was back then.

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Another major pollutant is particle pollution. This is made from burning wood, coal, and diesel fuel. It is a big problem in Rockland County because our close proximity to NYC causes the huge amounts of particle emission to be carried by the wind, and settle here.

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Ozone is a major pollutant in Rockland County. It is made when heat reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere. It then travels downwind, and ends up here.