Almost half of everyone who lives in the United States breathes unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report.
According to air quality data from 2021 to 2023, about 156 million people – 25 million more than last year’s report – live in an area that the association gives a failing grade for ozone and two measures of fine particulate matter pollution.
The US Environmental Protection Agency defines particulate matter, also called particle pollution or soot, as a mix of solid and liquid droplets that float in the air. It can come in the form of dirt, dust or smoke. Coal- and natural gas-fired power plants create it, as do cars, agriculture, unpaved roads, construction sites and wildfires.
The top 10 areas most polluted by year-round particle pollution are:
- 1. Bakersfield-Delano, CA
- 2. Visalia, CA
- 3. Fresno-Hanford-Cocoran, CA
- 4. Eugene-Springfield, OR
- 5. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
- 6. Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI (tied for 6th)
- 6. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA (tied for 6th)
- 8. Houston-Pasadena, TX
- 9. Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH
- 10. Fairbanks-College, AK
Exposure to particle pollution is considered a significant factor in premature death around the world, according to the World Health Organization.
Exposure can also raise the risk of conditions including certain cancers, stroke, asthma, preterm births, dementia, depression and anxiety.
