BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) A new report says that Washington’s overburdened communities are facing higher death rates thanks to air pollution.

The report conducted by the Washington Department of Ecology found that 16 areas across the state are considered overburdened and highly impacted by air pollution.

Most areas are in the greater Seattle area or in south-Central Washington.

Communities identified as “overburdened” are where vulnerable populations experience higher levels of a variety of health issues and risks related to multiple forms of pollution.

Health issues related to poor air quality include cardiovascular and lung diseases, obesity, mental illness and cancer.

Air pollution also impacts ecosystems.

The worst days for air pollution from 2020 to 2022 occurred during wildfires.

On average, people in overburdened communities lived nearly two and a half years less than the rest of the state between 2016 and 2020.

Older adults in these communities were twice as likely to die from illnesses related to inhaling pollutant particles.

The report is required by the Climate Commitment Act and the first study to review air pollutants, related health impacts and greenhouse gas emissions in overburdened communities.