emissions of air pollutants in United States
United States: emissions of air pollutants was 21.97 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
21.97 million tonnes
Change on year
down 1.8%
World rank
4th
of 220 countries
All-time high
174.29 million tonnes
in 1972
All-time low
1.85 million tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in United States, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
United States recorded 21.97 million tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.8% on the previous year and down 37.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in United States peaked at 174.29 million tonnes in 1972 and was at its lowest, 1.85 million tonnes, in 1750.
That places United States 4th out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
emissions of air pollutants in United States, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 1.85 million tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 1.88 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1752 | 1.92 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1753 | 1.95 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1754 | 1.98 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1755 | 2.01 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1756 | 2.04 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1757 | 2.08 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1758 | 2.11 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1759 | 2.14 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1760 | 2.17 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1761 | 2.21 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1762 | 2.25 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1763 | 2.29 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1764 | 2.33 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1765 | 2.37 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1766 | 2.41 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1767 | 2.44 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1768 | 2.48 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1769 | 2.52 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1770 | 2.56 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1771 | 2.61 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1772 | 2.66 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1773 | 2.71 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1774 | 2.75 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1775 | 2.80 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1776 | 2.85 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1777 | 2.90 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1778 | 2.95 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1779 | 2.99 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1780 | 3.04 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1781 | 3.10 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1782 | 3.16 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1783 | 3.22 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1784 | 3.28 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1785 | 3.34 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1786 | 3.40 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1787 | 3.46 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1788 | 3.52 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1789 | 3.58 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1790 | 3.64 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1791 | 3.76 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1792 | 3.88 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1793 | 4.00 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1794 | 4.12 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1795 | 4.24 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1796 | 4.36 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1797 | 4.48 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1798 | 4.60 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1799 | 4.72 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1800 | 4.84 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1801 | 5.00 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1802 | 5.16 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1803 | 5.32 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1804 | 5.48 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1805 | 5.64 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1806 | 5.80 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1807 | 5.96 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1808 | 6.12 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1809 | 6.28 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1810 | 6.44 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1811 | 6.65 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1812 | 6.86 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1813 | 7.07 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1814 | 7.29 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1815 | 7.50 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1816 | 7.71 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1817 | 7.93 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1818 | 8.14 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1819 | 8.35 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1820 | 8.57 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1821 | 8.84 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1822 | 9.11 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1823 | 9.37 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1824 | 9.64 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1825 | 9.91 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1826 | 10.18 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1827 | 10.44 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1828 | 10.70 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1829 | 10.97 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1830 | 11.23 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1831 | 11.57 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1832 | 11.92 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1833 | 12.26 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1834 | 12.59 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1835 | 12.94 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1836 | 13.27 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1837 | 13.61 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1838 | 13.94 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1839 | 14.27 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1840 | 14.60 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1841 | 15.02 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1842 | 15.45 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1843 | 15.87 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1844 | 16.30 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1845 | 16.72 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1846 | 17.14 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1847 | 17.56 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1848 | 17.97 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1849 | 18.37 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1850 | 18.78 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1851 | 19.27 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1852 | 19.74 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1853 | 20.23 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1854 | 20.73 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1855 | 21.28 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1856 | 21.78 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1857 | 22.28 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1858 | 22.77 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1859 | 23.34 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1860 | 23.91 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1861 | 24.16 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1862 | 24.50 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1863 | 24.96 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1864 | 25.36 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1865 | 25.67 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1866 | 25.87 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1867 | 26.43 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1868 | 26.87 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1869 | 27.35 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1870 | 27.67 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1871 | 27.75 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1872 | 28.34 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1873 | 28.70 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1874 | 28.55 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1875 | 28.54 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1876 | 28.41 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1877 | 28.77 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1878 | 28.65 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1879 | 29.45 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1880 | 30.00 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1881 | 30.03 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1882 | 30.44 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1883 | 30.54 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1884 | 30.62 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1885 | 30.39 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1886 | 30.58 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1887 | 30.80 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1888 | 32.27 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1889 | 31.30 million tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1890 | 33.15 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1891 | 33.75 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1892 | 34.05 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1893 | 33.82 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1894 | 32.72 million tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1895 | 34.04 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1896 | 33.42 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1897 | 33.16 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1898 | 33.49 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1899 | 34.79 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1900 | 35.04 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1901 | 35.95 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1902 | 36.67 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1903 | 39.32 million tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1904 | 38.58 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1905 | 40.56 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1906 | 40.85 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1907 | 44.79 million tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1908 | 41.20 million tonnes | -8.0% |
| 1909 | 42.98 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1910 | 45.11 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1911 | 45.18 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1912 | 47.02 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1913 | 50.17 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1914 | 48.11 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1915 | 49.56 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1916 | 52.49 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1917 | 55.45 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1918 | 56.79 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1919 | 52.14 million tonnes | -8.2% |
| 1920 | 60.10 million tonnes | +15.3% |
| 1921 | 55.44 million tonnes | -7.8% |
| 1922 | 58.39 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1923 | 70.64 million tonnes | +21.0% |
| 1924 | 66.37 million tonnes | -6.1% |
| 1925 | 68.55 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1926 | 70.28 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1927 | 71.71 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1928 | 70.60 million tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1929 | 74.41 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1930 | 66.06 million tonnes | -11.2% |
| 1931 | 59.97 million tonnes | -9.2% |
| 1932 | 54.29 million tonnes | -9.5% |
| 1933 | 58.08 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1934 | 58.94 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1935 | 61.69 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1936 | 67.45 million tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1937 | 73.14 million tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1938 | 66.84 million tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1939 | 70.51 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1940 | 76.49 million tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1941 | 80.24 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1942 | 79.15 million tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1943 | 82.75 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1944 | 90.44 million tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1945 | 90.57 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1946 | 88.61 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1947 | 93.52 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1948 | 99.44 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1949 | 94.82 million tonnes | -4.6% |
| 1950 | 101.73 million tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1951 | 105.93 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1952 | 107.26 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1953 | 110.07 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1954 | 109.13 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1955 | 116.52 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1956 | 119.84 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1957 | 116.89 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1958 | 117.86 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1959 | 120.43 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1960 | 120.98 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1961 | 122.18 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1962 | 126.58 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1963 | 130.60 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1964 | 134.84 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1965 | 138.47 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1966 | 145.01 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1967 | 148.92 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1968 | 158.16 million tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1969 | 165.63 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1970 | 172.46 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 171.38 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1972 | 174.29 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1973 | 174.06 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1974 | 162.86 million tonnes | -6.4% |
| 1975 | 157.58 million tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1976 | 163.49 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1977 | 165.99 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1978 | 168.86 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1979 | 160.22 million tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1980 | 149.58 million tonnes | -6.6% |
| 1981 | 147.45 million tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1982 | 144.59 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1983 | 143.85 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1984 | 141.97 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1985 | 141.50 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1986 | 137.54 million tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1987 | 135.01 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1988 | 132.72 million tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1989 | 126.51 million tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1990 | 115.41 million tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1991 | 112.11 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1992 | 108.77 million tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1993 | 103.32 million tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1994 | 101.50 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1995 | 99.30 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1996 | 93.70 million tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1997 | 92.33 million tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1998 | 91.01 million tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1999 | 85.28 million tonnes | -6.3% |
| 2000 | 85.34 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2001 | 81.98 million tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 69.96 million tonnes | -14.7% |
| 2003 | 65.25 million tonnes | -6.7% |
| 2004 | 60.78 million tonnes | -6.9% |
| 2005 | 58.00 million tonnes | -4.6% |
| 2006 | 55.28 million tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2007 | 50.99 million tonnes | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 46.72 million tonnes | -8.4% |
| 2009 | 43.19 million tonnes | -7.5% |
| 2010 | 38.98 million tonnes | -9.8% |
| 2011 | 39.14 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 35.22 million tonnes | -10.0% |
| 2013 | 35.99 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 34.88 million tonnes | -3.1% |
| 2015 | 33.74 million tonnes | -3.2% |
| 2016 | 30.00 million tonnes | -11.1% |
| 2017 | 28.86 million tonnes | -3.8% |
| 2018 | 27.02 million tonnes | -6.4% |
| 2019 | 25.17 million tonnes | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 21.47 million tonnes | -14.7% |
| 2021 | 22.37 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 2022 | 21.97 million tonnes | -1.8% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 21.97 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 150,374 tonnes, 146.1× the median. (78 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 2.00 million tonnes | 1.85 million tonnes | 2.14 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 2.35 million tonnes | 2.17 million tonnes | 2.52 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 2.78 million tonnes | 2.56 million tonnes | 2.99 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 3.31 million tonnes | 3.04 million tonnes | 3.58 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 4.18 million tonnes | 3.64 million tonnes | 4.72 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 5.56 million tonnes | 4.84 million tonnes | 6.28 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 7.39 million tonnes | 6.44 million tonnes | 8.35 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 9.77 million tonnes | 8.57 million tonnes | 10.97 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 12.76 million tonnes | 11.23 million tonnes | 14.27 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 16.50 million tonnes | 14.60 million tonnes | 18.37 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 21.02 million tonnes | 18.78 million tonnes | 23.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 25.51 million tonnes | 23.91 million tonnes | 27.35 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 28.48 million tonnes | 27.67 million tonnes | 29.45 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 30.70 million tonnes | 30.00 million tonnes | 32.27 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 33.64 million tonnes | 32.72 million tonnes | 34.79 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 39.59 million tonnes | 35.04 million tonnes | 44.79 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 50.20 million tonnes | 45.11 million tonnes | 56.79 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 66.65 million tonnes | 55.44 million tonnes | 74.41 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 63.70 million tonnes | 54.29 million tonnes | 73.14 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 87.60 million tonnes | 76.49 million tonnes | 99.44 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 112.57 million tonnes | 101.73 million tonnes | 120.43 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 139.14 million tonnes | 120.98 million tonnes | 165.63 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 167.12 million tonnes | 157.58 million tonnes | 174.29 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 140.07 million tonnes | 126.51 million tonnes | 149.58 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 100.27 million tonnes | 85.28 million tonnes | 115.41 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 61.75 million tonnes | 43.19 million tonnes | 85.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 32.90 million tonnes | 25.17 million tonnes | 39.14 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.94 million tonnes | 21.47 million tonnes | 22.37 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States
More climate change data for United States
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 274,482 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 60,922 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 213,560 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 229.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 7,627 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 107,381 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 89,068 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 18,313 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 336.11 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 654.05 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in United States?
- Emissions of air pollutants in United States was 21.97 million tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 174.29 million tonnes in 1972.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.85 million tonnes in 1750.
- How does United States rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- United States ranks 4th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a pollutant produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as oil, gas, wood, and coal. CO is a harmful gas that contributes to both outdoor and indoor air pollution.