The Houston-Pasadena region rose one spot and is now ranked No. 6 out of 226 metropolitan areas for its number of high ozone days, according to the 2026 State of the Air report released by the American Lung Association on April 21.
The region was ranked No. 7 in 2025, Community Impact previously reported. Between 2022-24, the Houston region’s annual weighted average of high ozone days was 43.3, according to the report.
Ozone air pollution, aka smog, is a lung irritant and can cause health problems, such as chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath, according to the ALA.
More details
Released every year, the ALA uses the State of the Air report to grade counties and rank cities and counties based on their scores for ozone, year-round particle pollution and short-term particle pollution levels, according to its website.
With regard to annual particle pollution, the Houston-Pasadena area ranked No. 8 out of 211 metropolitan areas. The region also ranked No. 89 out of 224 metropolitan areas for 24-hour particle pollution, according to the report.
Zooming in
According to the report, Brazoria, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties all received an “F” rating for their annual weighted average number of high ozone days.
The report also examined populations at risk when it comes to air pollution, such as the number of children with asthma and those with cardiovascular disease.
The impact
According to the ALA, air pollution can cause adverse symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Wheezing and coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Asthma attacks
- Worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Lung cancer
Factors that can increase someone’s risk of symptoms include the level of exposure to air pollution, susceptibility based on other conditions one may have, access to healthcare, and psychosocial stress, according to the report.
Before you go
On a local level, the ALA recommends local investments in sustainable transportation methods, clean energy programs and smart surfaces, such as solar panels or porous pavement. Individually, recommendations include checking air pollution forecasts and reducing home or vehicle emissions.
Read the 2026 State of the Air report here: www.lung.org/research/sota.