There’s something in the air — and it’s not love.
The American Lung Association’s latest annual State of the Air report grades the levels of ozone and particle pollution that Americans were exposed to over the three-year period from 2020 through 2022. It also grades the worst short-term (24-hour) spikes in pollution, for example from wildfires.
The 2024 report finds that “despite decades of progress cleaning up air pollution, 39% of Americans — 131.2 million people — still live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution,” the ALA says. Particle pollution consists of microscopic particles that come from sources such as factories, power plants, diesel and gas engines, and wood-burning stoves and can trigger asthma attacks, strokes and other health problems.
Older Americans are particularly vulnerable. Citing a 2017 study, the report says “older adults faced a higher risk of premature death even when levels of short-term particle pollution remained well within the current national standards. This was consistent whether the older adults lived in cities, suburbs or rural areas.”
Following are the cities with the worst year-round particle pollution according to the ALA.
Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d’Alene, WA-ID
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 14 (tie)
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 145,170
Spokane has a longstanding industrial pollution problem, going back as far as World War II, although much of it is related to water pollution.
In recent years, the increasing prevalence of wildfire smoke in the area is also affecting air quality. The area’s clean air agency recommends limiting your exposure to wildfire smoke as much as possible, even if you are healthy.
Chico, CA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 14 (tie)
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 38,407
Chico also ranks No. 10 for single-day pollution. The area had only 251 days of good air quality in 2023, according to Environmental Protection Agency data.
Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 13
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 963,354
While the Motor City area’s overall pollution is high, several counties in the metro were among the nation’s cleanest when measuring by single-day pollution. These include Genesee, Lenawee, Macomb and Oakland.
Yakima, WA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 12
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 37,021
This city in central Washington “remained unchanged from last year’s value, making this the third consecutive year at the same record level” for year-round particle pollution, the study found.
This is a recurring problem for the wildfire-plagued Western U.S. — the other four cities with their “worst ever” level are all in the West, too.
Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 11
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 387,143
Much of Indianapolis’ air pollution comes from cars, according to the Indianapolis Star. Its residents drive more miles per capita than any other large urban area in the U.S., according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Power plants are also a major source.
Fairbanks, AK
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 10
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 11,980
Wood-burning stoves are a large source of pollution in this colder latitude where wood is readily available, according to the Anchorage Daily News. Power plants, cars and heating oil also contribute.
Fairbanks ranked No. 7 for single-day pollution, the ALA says.
Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 9
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 852,129
The Phoenix metro ranks No. 5 for ozone pollution. Even during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, when traffic across the country virtually ground to a halt, “ozone stubbornly persisted” in the area, according to The Arizona Republic.
Medford-Grants Pass, OR
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 8
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 75,565
The record-breaking levels of wildfire smoke in recent years have had some people leaving this area, according to Oregon Public Radio — even folks who have been living there for decades.
Sacramento-Roseville, CA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 7
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 462,916
Since the 1990s, Sacramento has scheduled Spare the Air days to help reduce pollution. On these days, residents are encouraged to drive less and avoid using gas-powered devices or aerosols.
Sacramento is No. 7 for ozone pollution in the ALA’s ranking.
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 6
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 2,794,005
Los Angeles has a long history of smog problems and a long history of fighting it, including creating the nation’s first air pollution control program.
Still, the metro area ranks No. 1 for ozone pollution in the ALA report.
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 5
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 1,573,978
It might seem surprising that a city in the high-tech Bay Area has worse pollution than some major manufacturing cities.
Part of the reason is weather-related but has nothing to do with wildfires. Wintertime “inversion layers” of cold, still air can trap pollution created by fireplaces and other heat sources at ground level.
Eugene-Springfield, OR
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 4
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 81,012
The Eugene metro ranks No. 4 in both the annual and daily pollution rankings, and this year has its worst-ever performance, the ALA says. The area only had 244 days with good quality air in 2023, according to the EPA.
Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 3
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 170,959
The Fresno metro, along with the city of El Centro, “recorded their fewest-ever number of unhealthy days for ozone, though they still earned ‘F’ grades,” the ALA says. In the case of Fresno County, it’s still the sixth-worst in the country.
Visalia, CA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 2
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 56,443
Visalia ranks No. 5 for single-day pollution and has the second-highest ranking for ozone pollution. The Visalia-Porterville area only had 126 days with good air quality in 2023, the EPA says.
Bakersfield, CA
This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 1
People age 65 or older at risk from such pollution in this metro: 107,854
The top three metros on this list are a tight geographic cluster, where Visalia is sandwiched between Bakersfield and Fresno.
It’s no surprise, then, that Bakersfield ranked No. 1 for having the worst single-day pollution.
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