Best & Worst Cities for Ozone Pollution

Best and Worst Cities for Ozone Pollution Infographic


This information has been reviewed and approved by Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD (July 2024).


Summary: Best and Worst Cities for Ozone Pollution

Cleanest Cities by Ozone

  1. Albany-Schenectady, NY
  2. Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
  3. Bangor, ME
  4. Bellingham, WA
  5. Blacksburg-Christiansburg, VA
  6. Bowling Green-Glasgow, KY
  7. Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville, TX
  8. Brunswick, GA
  9. Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT
  10. Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL
  11. Charleston-Huntington-Ashland, WV-OH-KY
  12. Charleston-North Charleston, SC
  13. Charlottesville, VA
  14. Clarksville, TN-KY
  15. Cleveland-Indianola, MS
  16. Columbia-Moberly-Mexico, MO
  17. Columbus-Auburn-Opelika, GA-AL
  18. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
  19. Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA
  20. Duluth, MN-WI
  21. Eau Claire-Menomonie, WI
  22. Elmira-Corning, NY
  23. Erie-Meadville, PA
  24. Fairbanks, AK
  25. Florence, SC

Worst Cities by Ozone

  1. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
  2. Visalia, CA
  3. Bakersfield, CA
  4. Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA
  5. Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
  6. Denver-Aurora, CO
  7. Sacramento-Roseville, CA
  8. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
  9. Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, UT
  10. Houston-The Woodlands, TX
  11. Las Vegas-Henderson, NV
  12. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA
  13. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK
  14. New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA
  15. El Paso-Las Cruces, TX-NM
  16. Fort Collins, CO
  17. Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI
  18. El Centro, CA
  19. Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV
  20. Colorado Springs, CO
  21. Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM
  22. Redding-Red Blu , CA
  23. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
  24. San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX
  25. Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon, MI
Source: American Lung Association 2024

 

What is Ozone Pollution?

Bad or ground-level ozone pollution is created when vehicle and other emissions mix with pollutants and are heated by the sun. Warmer weather increases ground-level ozone pollution.

What Makes Air Quality Unhealthy?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) grades air quality based on ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide levels. Visit airnow.gov or watch local alerts.

Protect Your Lungs from Ozone Pollution

  • Watch local air quality advisories.
  • Ozone levels are always lower in the morning, so plan outdoor activities accordingly.
  • The elderly, the very young and those with lung disease are at the highest risk from severe ozone pollution and should limit afternoon outdoor time during poor ozone days
  • Keep windows closed.
  • Take medications exactly as prescribed.
  • Use the circulate setting on your home thermostat to keep polluted air out.
  • Call your doctor if symptoms increase or if you need more medication.

Facemasks are highly encouraged to limit COVID-19 infection but provide no protection against ozone pollution.

 

More Information on Pollution


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