Florida continues to rank among the nation’s leaders in air quality, according to the 2026 State of the Air Report released by the American Lung Association and highlighted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection during Clean Air Month.
The report recognized 21 Florida counties among the nation’s cleanest for ozone pollution, while no Florida counties appeared on the list of the 25 Most Polluted Places to Live.
DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert said Florida’s natural resources are central to the state’s economy, quality of life and communities. She added that the report reflects Florida’s long-term commitment to science-based environmental standards.
Communities recognized nationally for low ozone pollution levels included Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Gainesville, Lake City, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville and Tallahassee. Pensacola was also named one of the cleanest cities for short-term particle pollution.
According to DEP, Florida remains the most populous state in the nation to meet or exceed all federal air quality standards for the fifth consecutive year. Since 2000, industrial emissions across the state have declined by 78 percent, while ozone levels have decreased by nearly half over the past 20 years.
SOURCE: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
