The American Lung Association recently released their 2017 State 0f the Air report evaluating air quality in communities across the country. The findings demonstrate some promising trends.

The number of Americans regularly exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution has decreased by a quarter since 2012 and the successes linked to provisions in the Clean Air Act of 1963.

The report also raises some concerns; 40% of Americans live in areas with dangerous levels of ozone and particulate pollutions. Southern California stands out as particularly unhealthy.

In our region, Lancaster County saw a passing grade for the first time in 18 years. The Harrisburg-Lebanon-York metro region saw an improvement - from 9th to 22nd on the list of worst in the US for fine particle pollution.

Smart Talk breaks down the report to examine the source of the pollution and what can be done at home, in Harrisburg and in Washington to maintain clean, healthy air.

GUESTS:

- Kevin Stewart - Director of Environmental Health, American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic

- Dr. Gisoo Ghaffari - allergy, asthma, immunology specialist at Penn State Hershey Medical Center; board member, Pennsylvania Allergy Asthma Association

Also, industrial hemp cultivation has been illegal in the commonwealth since 1937. Late last year, State Agricultural Secretary Russell Redding signed off on a pilot program that will research hemp growth for commercial applications. This is not the smokable marijuana strain, but its impotent cousin with many practical uses.

Papers, rope, textiles and industrial lubricants are some products of hemp; hemp oil can be used for cooking. Smart Talk examines Pennsylvania's policies towards hemp, what cultivation of the crop could contribute to the state's agricultural economy and why hemp carries the stigma that it does.