Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in United States
United States: Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 was 6.97 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▼ Falling
Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in United States, 1990–2023
Source: Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in micrograms per cubic meter.
Analysis
The most recent figure for particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in United States is 6.97 micrograms per cubic meter, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 34 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.2% on the previous year and down 17.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in United States peaked at 15.95 micrograms per cubic meter in 1991 and was at its lowest, 6.97 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2023.
That places United States 176th out of 200 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 34 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 15.47 micrograms per cubic meter | 14.81 micrograms per cubic meter | 15.95 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 12.34 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.37 micrograms per cubic meter | 14.49 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.24 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.27 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.43 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.59 micrograms per cubic meter | 6.97 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.23 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 173 Denmark 7.5 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 175 Vanuatu 6.99 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 177 New Zealand 6.88 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 178 United States Virgin Islands 6.79 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 179 Canada 6.55 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More reference data data for United States
- Spring temperature anomalies 2.51 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 143.86 2010 = 100 (2024)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in United States?
- Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in United States was 6.97 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, according to Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 15.95 micrograms per cubic meter in 1991.
- What is the lowest particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.97 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.
- How does United States rank for particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017?
- United States ranks 176th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 34 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Population-weighted average level of exposure to concentrations of suspended particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Exposure is measured in micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³).