Report shows improvement in Mecklenburg Co. air quality, details health risks [Video]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The American Lung Association (ALA) released its annual “State of the Air” report on Wednesday, and it showed that poor air quality can have a big effect on children before birth.

Researchers spoke with Dr. Aaron Levy at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.

“Women who are exposed to higher levels of poor air quality have a greater risk of having babies born premature and low birth weight,” he said.

Researchers said poor air quality can also lead to a mother developing conditions such as preeclampsia.

The ALA gave Mecklenburg County a “C” grade because it had three high ozone days between 2020-22.

It was the county’s first “passing” grade, and showed a significant drop in the number of unhealthy air quality days. The grade was based on the average number of unhealthy days, one day per year, in Mecklenburg County during the 2020-22 period, down from nearly four days per year during …