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- If you think that America has cleaned up its act in terms of clean air – think again. Because while some improvements have been made over the toxic air quality of years gone by, the country still has a long way to go. More than half of all Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels.
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- About the author: Neil Street is a web publisher and freelance author. He has recently written about disposable protective clothing utilized in environmental cleanups.
If you think that America has cleaned up its act in terms of clean air – think again. Because while some improvements have been made over the toxic air quality of years gone by, the country still has a long way to go. More than half of all Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels.
That is one of the key findings of the latest air quality study released by the American Lung Association, which has been conducting this vital research for the past dozen years. The Lung Association study, known as the “State of the Air” report, gathers data on three main types of pollution at monitoring stations around the United States: Year-Round Particle Pollution; Short Term Particle Pollution, and Ozone Pollution.
All three types of pollution, says the ALA, can contribute to a wide range of health problems. One of the most alarming of ALA’s findings is that the dangers of air pollution are, in fact, greater than previously thought. Problems related to bad air quality include asthma, allergies, pulmonary diseases such as lung cancer and C.O.P.D, risk of heart attack, premature births, complications for diabetics, and much more.
The causes of air pollution are many and varied. Traffic, of course, is a leading contributor to smog. But many other factors, including geography and weather patterns, contribute to the problem. Factories, cattle feed lots, power plants, industrial facilities, and even woodstove usage, all play a part in affecting the quality of the air we breathe.
So what are the most polluted parts of America? Well, if you live on the west coast, specifically in California, clean air should be a big concern. The majority of the worst-ranked cities for pollution are in California. But just because California has the worst overall pollution doesn’t mean everyone else can pat themselves on the back. Poor air quality is present in most American metro areas – in other words, where most of us live.
| Ten Most Polluted Cities in America According to American Lung Association | ||
| OZONE POLLUTION | YEAR-ROUND PARTICLE POLLUTION | SHORT TERM PARTICLE POLLUTION |
| Los Angeles, CA | Bakersfield, CA | Bakersfield, CA |
| Bakersfield, CA | Visalia, CA | Fresno, CA |
| Visalia, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Sacramento, CA | Hanford, CA | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Hanford, CA | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT |
| San Diego, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Visalia, CA |
| Houston, TX | Birmingham, AL | Birmingham, AL |
| Merced, CA | Cincinnati, OH | Hanford, CA |
| Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA |
While the American Lung Association continues to lead the fight for clean air, there are steps that all of us can take both to protect ourselves and to reduce our own “pollution footprint”. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, for example, suggests that biking, walking, or using public transportation, when possible, helps cut down auto emissions. And on days when pollution is particularly bad, people with pulmonary conditions or related ailments should stay indoors as much as possible, and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
The battle for clean air is far from won. But our health, and our lives, depend on winning it. Through education and understanding, we will hopefully keep moving, as individuals and as a nation, to a cleaner, more breathable environment.
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