The American Lung Association issued a report giving DC and Arlington ‘F’ grades for smog, DCist reports. According to the American Lung Association, the Washington area has the 14th highest ozone/smog levels in the country. The District averages 10.7 high ozone days a year, while Arlington has an average of 9.8.
Though this may seem bleak and make one want to move to cleaner air in the country, air quality in the DC area is getting better: the average number of high ozone days in DC fell from an average of 40 in the years 1997 to 1999. Arlington is fairing better as well, after achieving a high of 32 from 1997 to 1999. As for particle pollution, DC got a D, while Arlington was given a C.
