Eugene-Springfield ranks No. 2 for worst air in U.S., lung association says

QuickTake:

Air quality in the metro area worsened in the latest report from the American Lung Association, with the region climbing the national rankings for particle pollution. The rise is driven in part by wildfire smoke, as longer more intense fire seasons funnel pollution into Oregon’s valleys.

Air quality in the Eugene-Springfield metro area — already among the worst in the United States — is worsening, according to the American Lung Association’s 2026 State of the Air report released Wednesday, April 22.

The American Lung Association ranked the southern Willamette Valley cities No. 2 for short-term particle pollution and No. 3 for annual particle pollution, compared with No. 3 and No. 4 in 2025, respectively.

Annual particle pollution measures the average level of fine particulate matter over a year, while short-term particle pollution tracks daily spikes, often driven by events such as wildfires or industrial incidents.

Particle pollution consists of tiny materials. In Eugene and Springfield, the main concern is particles that fall from the sky — soot, dust and smoke.

The association uses a long-standing methodology based on air quality monitors, which some local air-quality officials say may overstate conditions in the metro area because it incorporates data from rural communities.

What particulate pollution means for health

Federal and local agencies, such as Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, known as LRAPA, monitor and regulate particle pollution because of its effects on human and environmental health.

Prolonged exposure puts everyone at risk, but children, older adults and people with preexisting heart or lung conditions are most vulnerable. Their bodies respond differently than those of healthy adults, depending on factors such as immune defenses, body weight and circulation.

Long-term exposure is linked to serious health risks, including increased rates of heart disease, lung cancer, stroke and premature death. Short-term air-quality episodes can trigger immediate health effects, such as asthma attacks, hospitalizations and even sudden cardiac events.

Wildfire smoke has become a major driver of particle pollution in the last six years, in which Eugene and Springfield have risen in the ranks, according to the regional air protection agency and the American Lung Association. The association gave Lane County an F grade for particle pollution in its 2026 report.

“This grade reflects a real challenge. Wildfire smoke is the biggest threat to air quality in the Pacific Northwest, and Lane County residents have seen it firsthand,” said Matt Sorensen, LRAPA spokesperson.

About the data

While acknowledging the problem, the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency has criticized the association’s methodology.

In a news release Wednesday, LRAPA said the American Lung Association bases its Eugene-Springfield metro grade on data from eight monitoring stations across the county, including one in Oakridge.

Oakridge’s readings can influence the region’s overall grade, Sorensen said in the release.

The lung association stands behind its methods, however.

“Our first report was completed in 2000 and the methodology used was developed by the American Lung Association in consultation with a panel of experts. Our methodology has stood the test of time and continues to deliver informative data to readers,” Carrie Nyssen, senior director of advocacy for the American Lung Association, said in an email to Lookout Eugene-Springfield.

Nyssen said the 2026 report covers data from 2022, 2023 and 2024, a period heavily influenced by the Cedar Creek Fire that burned 127,000 acres between August and October 2022.

“Next year’s report will include data from 2023, 2024 and 2025 – so the 2022 data will not be included and we will likely see movement and possible improvement with the particle pollution grade,” Nyssen said.

But the agency’s capacity to protect air quality is in jeopardy as rules are rolled back and staff and programs are cut, Nyssen said, adding that it is critical for states to continue efforts to protect residents from poor air quality.

“Our lungs are the only organ inside our body constantly exposed to our outdoor environment with each and every breath — so pollutants in the air, quickly become the poor air that enters our lungs,” she said. “Understanding air quality and the impact of pollution on our lungs is crucial

Protect yourself from hazardous air

Track air quality to reduce your risk: Air quality resources such as AirNow provide real-time updates using a color-coded scale from 0 to 500. Higher numbers indicate worse conditions, and dark red signals hazardous air. People can also enable smoke alerts through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s free OregonAir app.
Limit exposure: Stay indoors when air quality worsens. This is especially true for sensitive groups.
Prepare your home: Health officials recommend using air purifiers and keeping indoor air clean by closing windows and doors during smoky conditions.