Montana’s Poor Air Quality: What You Need To Know

Air Quality In The State Of Montana Is Steadily Declining

No, it's not suddenly fire season in Montana, even though I think fire season this year is going to be a doozy.  The American Lung Association released their 2024 State Of The Air Report this week.

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F Grade For Montana Air Quality In Some Counties

You read that correctly.  There are 10 Montana counties that received a failing grade from The American Lung Association.

How can that be in Big Sky Country? The counties were given the failing grades due to high amounts of particle pollution and/or particulate matter.

What's The Fine For Dumping Your Garbage Illegally In Montana?

From Montana Public Radio: according to Doctor Rob Bryan in Hardin, Montana,

"These particles get inside our body, we breathe them in. They have been found within people’s brains, inside the blood brain barrier and they have been found on the fetal side of the placenta in pregnant women."

MPR goes on to say: "Exposure to particulates has been associated with birth defects, lung and pulmonary conditions, heart attacks, strokes and increases in dementia. Research has shown the majority of Montana’s pollution is particulate matter from wildfires and winter inversions.”

I didn't know this until today, but the air quality in Missoula is some of the worst in the entire United States of America.

What Counties Failed For Air Quality Standards In Montana?

• Fergus County
• Flathead County
• Gallatin County
• Lewis and Clark County
• Lincoln County
• Missoula County
• Powder River County
• Ravalli County
• Silver Bow County
• Yellowstone County

Check Out This Montana Ranch With It's Own Hot Springs

What Can We Do About Montana's Air Quality?

I honestly don't know. It starts with people wanting to keep our state pristine with the cleanest air in the world. I don't think we're there.