Worst U.S. cities for air pollution ranked in new American Lung Association report
Worst U.S. cities for air pollution ranked in new American Lung Association report
This 2024 "State of the Air" report warns efforts to reduce emissions are undermined by extreme heat, drought and wildfires caused by climate change.
According to the report, after Bakersfield, the worst cities for year-round particle pollution between 2020 and 2022 were:
- Visalia, California
- Fresno-Madera-Hanford, California
- Eugene-Springfield, Oregon
- San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California
- Los Angeles-Long Beach, California
- Sacramento-Roseville, California
- Medford-Grants Pass, Oregon
- Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona
- Fairbanks, Alaska
Los Angeles — infamous for its smog, which is mainly composed of ozone — ranked as the worst city for ozone pollution in the country, as it has on all but one "State of the Air" report. After Los Angeles, the most polluted cities for ozone were:
- Visalia, California
- Bakersfield, California
- Fresno-Madera-Hanford, California
- Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona
- Denver-Aurora, Colorado
- Sacramento-Roseville, California
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, California
- Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, Utah
- Houston-The Woodlands, Texas
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Fairbanks, AK made the list not for smog or other hydrocarbon pollution but for wood smoke in the winter. The cold air settles over the town and traps the smoke particles in a haze.