US stops sharing global air quality data, raising concerns among scientists

LOS ANGELES - The US government will no longer share air quality data collected from its embassies and consulates worldwide, a decision that has sparked concerns among scientists and environmental advocates. 

The monitoring program, which provided independent pollution data in cities across the globe, will cease transmitting data to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow app and other platforms due to funding limitations.

Experts warn that the decision could leave millions of people without accurate air pollution information, particularly in countries where government monitoring is unreliable or nonexistent. The change is part of a series of funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has shifted priorities away from environmental initiatives.

Why is the US stopping air quality data sharing?

The backstory:

The US air quality monitoring program was launched to provide reliable pollution data from embassies and consulates worldwide. The monitors measured fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which can penetrate the lungs and lead to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature death. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates air pollution is responsible for 7 million deaths annually.

By sharing this data publicly through the EPA’s AirNow platform, the US helped scientists and governments track pollution trends and implement policies to improve air quality. The decision to stop sharing the data, first reported by The New York Times, follows funding constraints that led the State Department to turn off the network.

FILE - Downtown highrise buildings are shown cloaked in dirty air shortly after sunrise.  (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

What they're saying:

Environmental experts have criticized the move, calling it a significant setback for air pollution research and public health efforts.

Bhargav Krishna, an air pollution expert at New Delhi-based Sustainable Futures Collaborative, said the loss of data is "a big blow" to air quality research. "They were part of a handful of sensors in many developing countries and served as a reference for understanding what air quality was like," Krishna told The Associated Press.

In Colombia, air quality consultant Alejandro Piracoca Mayorga described the decision as "a real shame," noting that embassies in Lima, São Paulo, and Bogotá provided independent pollution measurements that many relied on for accurate comparisons.

Khalid Khan, an environmental advocate in Pakistan, warned that cutting off the data will "have significant consequences," especially in cities like Peshawar, one of the most polluted in the world. "The monitors provided crucial real-time data that helped policymakers, researchers, and the public make informed health decisions," Khan said.

In Africa, the US program was one of the only sources of air quality data for countries such as Senegal, Nigeria, Chad, and Madagascar. Without it, many nations will be left without access to reliable pollution tracking.

How has US air quality monitoring impacted global efforts?

The other side:

Some officials have downplayed the impact of the program’s shutdown. In Pakistan’s Punjab province, where smog is a persistent problem, Environment Secretary Raja Jahangir said the province has its own air quality monitors and plans to acquire 30 more.

Meanwhile, environmental advocates in India see the shutdown as an opportunity for the government to step up. Shweta Narayan of the Global Climate and Health Alliance called the decision a "huge setback" but added that it could push India to invest in its own monitoring infrastructure. 

"By strengthening its air quality monitoring system and ensuring data transparency, India can set a benchmark for accountability and environmental governance," Narayan said.

What's next:

The loss of US embassy data will have widespread effects, particularly in poorer countries that lack independent air quality monitoring. The WHO’s air quality database, which relies on US embassy data in some regions, will also be affected.

While some nations are working to expand their monitoring networks, experts warn that without immediate replacements, millions of people could be left uninformed about hazardous air conditions. Scientists stress that governments and international organizations must step in to fill the gap, ensuring that reliable air pollution data remains accessible.