The American Lung Association gave Montgomery County a “C” for ozone or particle pollution in its newly released 2026 State of the Air report.

“If you live in Montgomery County, the air you breathe needs your support,” according the Lung Association officials who released the report Tuesday.

“C” is a passing grade, according to the report. Nearby, both the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County received an “F.”

Several years ago, during the pandemic, Montgomery County’s air pollution was not as bad, in part because there were fewer cars on the road and most people stayed home, said Sean O’Donnell, deputy chief for public health services in Montgomery County.

“There is value in promoting remote work,” he said. Commuting “is probably causing an uptick.”

Meanwhile, last summer, the wildfires in Canada sent smoke and haze all the way to the east coast. “It only takes a couple of days of Code Orange or Code Red” to push up the county’s particulate numbers, O’Donnell said.

He urged residents to pay attention to air quality warnings, especially during hot summer days. If possible, people should limit their time outdoors during those days and not fill up their gas tanks, he said.

Throughout the D.C. area, there are a lot of traffic, cars, diesel backup generators and high-density buildings, which all lead to diminished air quality, as well, O’Donnell noted.

While the air in Montgomery County may not ultimately show significant health risks to the average healthy person, it can be more harmful to babies, older adults and anyone with lung and heart disease, O’Donnell pointed out.

About 44% of Americans—more than 152 million people—live in places that received failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, according to the report.

“Climate change is likely contributing,” O’Donnell said.