Environmental activists press for more action on air pollution from NC lawmakers

The report showed the Raleigh-Cary metro area ranked fourth statewide last year, with 33 days of elevated air pollution, as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Winston-Salem had the worst air pollution in North Carolina last year, with 55 days of elevated pollution, followed by Hickory, with 46 days. Fayetteville was just ahead of Raleigh, with 34 days of elevated pollution, and the Greensboro-High Point metro area rounded out the top five, with 32 days.

Ozone and particulates in the air can cause cardiovascular and breathing problems, as well as cancer. Krista Early, an advocate with Environment North Carolina, said air pollution is especially problematic for elderly people and children.

"We know that even one day of breathing in polluted air is dangerous for health. Thirty-three days is actually unacceptable, and we need to do a ton more to deliver clean air for our community," Early said.

Agreement reached on major NC energy bill

Transportation is by far the biggest source of air pollution in North Carolina, responsible for about two-thirds of the state total.

"If we want to make a dent in these terrible numbers and save lives, we have to wean ourselves off of burning fossil fuels to get around," said Katie Craig, state director of the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group.

Craig praised lawmakers of both parties for pushing to get more electric car charging stations around the state. Just a few years ago, Republican lawmakers were moving in the opposite direction, relaxing emissions standards in dozens of counties.