There’s something in the air — and it’s not love.
The American Lung Association has released its latest annual State of the Air report, which grades the levels of ozone and particle pollution that Americans were exposed to over the three-year period from 2019 to 2021. It also grades the worst short-term (24-hour) spikes in pollution, for example from wildfires.
The report “finds that after decades of progress on cleaning up sources of air pollution, nearly 36% of Americans — 119.6 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.
Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 14
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 554,715
Pittsburgh has a long history of industrial air pollution, and despite environmental strides, it remains near the top of the list. The metro area also ranked 20th for single-day pollution.
While air pollution is a problem, Pittsburgh scores high in other measures of cleanliness and in 2022 made the list in “The 15 Cleanest Big Cities in America.”
Chico, CA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 13
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 37,992
Chico also ranks No. 9 for single-day pollution. It has around 39 days a year with unhealthy or hazardous air, according to Environmental Protection Agency data.
Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 12
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 935,955
Motor City has been cleaning up its act, and ALA says it was one of only two cities that improved enough to drop out of the top 25 cities most polluted by ozone, a separate ranking. Nonetheless, its year-round air pollution is still pretty high.
Yakima, WA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 11
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 36,193
This city in central Washington received the same ranking for short-term particle pollution — a recurring problem for the wildfire-plagued Western U.S.
Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 10
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 371,608
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. Power plants are also a major source.
Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 7 (tied)
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 819,746
The Phoenix metro is 13th for single-day 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
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 7 (tied)
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 819,746
The Medford area is ranked 25th for single-day pollution, the ALA says.
The record-breaking levels of wildfire smoke in recent years have had some people leaving the area, according to Oregon Public Radio — even folks who have been living there for decades.
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 7 (tied)
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 1,520,400
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. The San Jose metro is also No. 6 in the ranking of single-day pollution.
Sacramento-Roseville, CA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 6
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 445,410
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. 8 for single-day pollution in the ALA’s ranking.
Fairbanks, AK
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 5
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 11,366
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. 3 for single-day pollution, the ALA says.
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 4
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 2,705,866
Like Pittsburgh, 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. 9 for single-day pollution in the ALA report. It’s also one of “The 15 Dirtiest Cities in America.”
Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 3
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 166,947
The Fresno metro also ranked No. 2 for single-day pollution, the ALA says.
Visalia, CA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 1 (tied)
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 55,572
Visalia ranks No. 4 for single-day pollution. This city and nearby Fresno are among five Central Valley cities that suffered the biggest declines in air quality from 2019 to 2020.
Bakersfield, CA
Year-round particle pollution rank this place received: 1 (tied)
Number of people age 65 or older at risk from pollution in this place: 104,638
The top three metros on this list are a tight geographic cluster, with Visalia 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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