The 25 U.S. Cities With The Worst Annual Pollution

Topline

Nearly half of Americans are living in places with failing grades for ozone or particle pollution, according to an annual report from the American Lung Association, in part because of climate change, extreme heat and wildfires that worsen air quality.

The view of downtown Los Angeles is obscured by smog, heat and haze from Panorama Nature Preserve in … More Fullerton Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Key Facts

The American Lung Association’s report found that more than 156 million people in the U.S.—or 46% of the population—live in communities where at least one measure of air pollution received a failing grade, and 42 million people live in areas that failed all three pollution measures.

The three pollution measures cities and counties were graded on were ozone pollution, short-term particle pollution and annual particle pollution.

Air quality continues to be poor in the western United States, though conditions improved in some western cities in 2023, but this year’s report found air quality is worsening in the East, as well, at least in part because of wildfire smoke.

The report measures ozone (commonly known as smog) and particle pollution (commonly known as particulate matter or soot)—which have been proven to be “a threat to human health at every stage of life.”

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.

These Are The 25 U.s. Cities With The Worst Annual Pollution

The annual “year-round” pollution level represents the concentration of particles in each location, and data to calculate it was pulled from the Environmental Protection Agency. This year’s report found that 85 million people lived in a county that had a failing grade for year-round levels of particle pollution. These are the 25 cities and metropolitan areas with the worst annual pollution:

1. Bakersfield-Delano, California

2. Visalia, California

3. Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, California

4. Eugene-Springfield, Oregon

5. Los Angeles-Long Beach, California

T-6. Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, Michigan

T-6. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California

8. Houston-Pasadena, Texas

9. Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio

10. Fairbanks-College, Alaska

11. Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, Indiana

12. Pittsburgh-Weirton-Steubenville, Pennsylvania-Ohio-West Virginia

13. Chicago-Naperville, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin

14. Cincinnati-Wilmington, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana

14. Sacramento-Roseville, California

16. Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville, Texas

T-17. Medford-Grants Pass, Oregon

T-17. Missoula, Montana

T-17. St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, Missouri-Illinois

T-20. Kalamazoo-Batle Creek-Protage, Michigan

T-20. Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona

22. Texarkana, Texas-Arkansas

23. El Centro, California

23. Yakima, Washington

25. Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coer d-Alene, Washington-Idaho

These Are The 25 U.s. Cities With The Least Annual Pollution

T-1. Casper, Wyoming

T-1. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii

3. Kahului-Wailuku, Hawaii

4. Bozeman, Montana

5. Bangor, Maine

T-6. St. George, Utah

T-6. Anchorage, Alaska

8. Cheyenne, Wyoming

T-9. Colorado Springs, Colorado

T-9. Grand Junction, Colorado

11. Wilmington, North Carolina

12. Lubbock-Plainview, Texas

T-13. Elmira-Corning, New York

T-13. Salinas, California

T-15. Duluth-Grand Rapids, Minnesota-Wisconsin

T-15. Gainesville-Lake City, Florida

T-15. Amarillo-Borger, Texas

18. Syracuse-Auburn, New York

19. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, California

20. Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, North Carolina

21. Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, Vermont

22. Pittsfield, Massachusetts

T-23. San Juan-Bayamón, Puerto Rico

T-23. Portland-Vancouver-Salem, Oregon-Washington

T-23. Lynchburg, Virginia

How Can Air Pollution Harm People?

Both ozone pollution and particle pollution are dangerous for human health, the ALA said. High concentrations of particle pollution can lead to illnesses and premature deaths, and is of highest risk to pregnant people and fetuses, infants, children, people 65 and older and people with preexisting health conditions like asthma or cardiovascular disease. Ozone pollution is “a powerful lung irritant,” according to the report, and can cause inflammation and respiratory problems, along with other health issues. Research has also shown people of color are more likely to experience health issues because of air pollution as they face disproportionate exposure.

Tangent

In a press release for Wednesday’s report, Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the ALA, criticized cuts to the EPA. “Even as more people are breathing unhealthy air, the federal staff, programs and policies that are supposed to be cleaning up pollution are facing rollbacks, restructuring and funding challenges,” Wimmer said. “Efforts to slash staff, funding and programs at EPA are leaving families even more vulnerable to harmful air pollution. We need to protect EPA.”