Air pollution is a significant health and environmental challenge in the USA. Each year, millions of USA residents are exposed to pollutant levels that are harmful to health. While air quality has improved in parts of the country, there are still cities that have dangerously high levels of pollution – mostly from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, and industrial emissions. The following will review the 10 most polluted cities in America, based on air quality ratings and particulate pollution levels.
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1. Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is the #1 polluted city in the USA, and is located in the Central Valley, surrounded by mountains, causing pollutants to be trapped in the valley. PM2.5 levels are high due to emissions from industry, traffic, agriculture, and wildfires, leading to serious respiratory health issues.
2. Visalia, California
Situated in California’s Central Valley, Visalia is among the areas significantly impacted by particulate pollution, which stems from agriculture, vehicle emissions, and wildfire smoke. Levels of pollution are the second worst in the nation.
3. Fresno, California
Fresno has had well-documented air pollution, largely due to industrial sources, agricultural dust, and traffic. Fresno is at the top of the list for cities with unhealthy air.
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach
With a high population density and combustion engines, Los Angeles emits a considerable amount of ozone and particulate-related air pollution. The situation is exacerbated by sunny and dry climate conditions that are conducive to ozone formation.
5. Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona
Air pollution from traffic, industrial activities, and dust storms contribute to elevated levels of particulate matter in Phoenix, with serious concerns for public health.
6. Sacramento-Roseville
Industrial emissions and local wildfire smoke make this city one of the most polluted, contributing to unsafe levels of fine particles.
7. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
This coastal metropolitan area experiences high pollution from transportation and industrial pollution, exacerbated by meteorological conditions that trap smog and particulate matter in the area.
8. Houston-The Woodlands, Texas
Both transportation emissions and industrial emissions from oil refineries and chemical plants have major negative impacts on air quality in Houston, making this metro one of the most polluted metros in Texas.
9. Atlanta, Georgia
Due to trends in vehicle emissions and continued growth of its population, Atlanta has seen increases in particulate and ozone pollution and has now become one of the most polluted cities in southeastern US.
10. Columbus, Ohio
Columbus experiences pollution from a mix of industrial activities, vehicle traffic, and power plant emissions, putting it in top categories for poor air quality.
