New research shows 46% of Americans—156 million people—live in areas failing air quality tests for particle pollution or ozone. That’s 25 million more than last year.

The claim breaks down into three key factual components: the percentage of Americans affected (46%), the number of people (156 million), and the increase compared to last year (25 million more). Multiple recent and authoritative sources, primarily the American Lung Association's 'State of the Air' 2025 report, confirm these figures. The report explicitly states that over 156 million people live in counties receiving an 'F' grade for either ozone or particle pollution, representing 46% of the U.S. Population.lung.orglung.orgKey Findingslung.orglung.orgNew Report: Nearly Half of People in U.S. Exposed to Dangerous Air Pollution...

It also notes an increase of approximately 25 million people compared to last year's data. Additional news outlets and environmental reporting corroborate these findings, emphasizing worsening air quality due to factors like wildfires and extreme heat events.prnewswire.comprnewswire.comNew Report: Nearly Half of People in U.S. Exposed to Dangerous Air Pollution... The data is recent (2025) and comes from a reputable health organization with transparent methodology.

There is no evidence contradicting these numbers or suggesting significant nuance that would alter the core claim. The claim does not imply causation beyond reporting statistics but aligns with observed environmental trends.

Therefore, the statement is accurate and well-supported by current data.