LOGAN — The Logan metro area ranks 22nd worst in the nation for short-term particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report released this week.
The annual study, which examines data from 2021 to 2023, found that Cache County residents experienced an average of 8.5 unhealthy air quality days per year due to particle pollution, earning the area an F grade. Although the results mark a slight improvement from last year’s report, when the Logan metro ranked 21st worst, officials warn that air pollution continues to pose serious health risks.
“Unfortunately, too many people in the Cache Valley are living with unhealthy levels of particle pollution,” said Nick Torres, advocacy director for the American Lung Association. He added that the pollution is linked to asthma attacks in children, illness among outdoor workers and low birth weights in newborns.
The report also measured ground-level ozone, or smog. Cache County averaged 1.2 unhealthy ozone days per year, resulting in a C grade, placing the Logan metro area 127th worst nationwide for ozone pollution — an improvement over last year’s 79th-place ranking.
Neighboring Box Elder County also received a C grade for ozone pollution, with an average of 1.3 unhealthy days per year. Box Elder County recorded four “orange” air quality days — indicating unhealthy levels for sensitive groups — but had no “red” or “purple” days, which would signal higher levels of concern.
For year-round particle pollution levels, Cache County received a passing grade, and the Logan metro area ranked 124th worst nationally, better than last year’s 111th place.
The American Lung Association noted that 156 million Americans — nearly 46% of the U.S. population — live in areas with unhealthy air quality, and that communities of color are disproportionately impacted. The report called on Utah policymakers and the public to support the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to safeguard air quality.
Full results of the report are available at Lung.org/sota.