Bronte Wells
Air pollution is a critical issue in the United States, with far-reaching health consequences. While the Clean Air Act has driven pollution reduction for over 50 years, certain states and cities continue to struggle with poor air quality. California, for instance, has seen an increase in pollution due to the endless wildfire season. Los Angeles, in particular, stands out for its high levels of air pollution, with the city's basin topography trapping pollutants. Other cities with poor air quality include Shafter, California; Mission, Texas; Nampa, Idaho; and Ontario, California. These areas often face elevated health risks due to their proximity to freeways, hazardous facilities, and rail yards. The social disparities in exposure to air pollution are also notable, with people of color and low-income communities bearing a disproportionate burden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States with high air pollution | Indiana, Oregon, California, Texas, Idaho, and Hawaii |
| Causes of air pollution | Oil and gas industry, coal-powered plants, agricultural runoff, industrial dumping, stormwater runoff, wood-burning stoves, and wildfires |
| Health impacts | Respiratory conditions, asthma, emphysema, lung cancer, reduced lifespan, and increased risk of illness |
| Other types of pollution | Water pollution, soil pollution, and building material pollution |
| Vulnerable populations | People of color, low-income individuals, and those living or working near busy highways |
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What You'll Learn
- Los Angeles, California has the most contaminated air in the US
- California cities take up nine spots in the top 10 cities with the worst air quality
- People of colour are exposed to 4.6 ppb more NO2 than white people
- Lower-income Caucasians are exposed to 3.4 ppb more NO2 than higher-income Caucasians
- Hawaii has the best air quality in the US
Los Angeles, California has the most contaminated air in the US
Los Angeles, California, has been described as having the most contaminated air in the US. The city's geographical constraints and sprawling layout contribute to its unique pollution circumstances. More than 90% of Californians live in counties with unhealthy levels of air quality.
The state of California has seen a decline in outdoor air pollutants over the last 30 years, but many parts of the state still struggle with air quality problems. Los Angeles County remains one of the most polluted regions in the nation and does not meet the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) national air quality standards for several pollutants. The EPA identifies six common air pollutants, also known as "criteria air pollutants", that all states must abide by. These include particulate pollution, ground-level ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.
In California, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), an agency of the California EPA, imposes additional air quality regulations that are often stricter than those implemented by the federal EPA. Despite these regulations, air pollution in Los Angeles has caused widespread concern among residents. A 2011 survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that 45% of Los Angeles citizens considered air pollution a "big problem", and 47% believed the air quality had worsened in the previous decade.
The main sources of air pollution in Los Angeles are diesel engines, ports, motor vehicles, and industries. The city's basin-like geography between mountains and the inward-sweeping winds from the Pacific Ocean contribute to the stagnation of ozone, smog, and other toxic particles in the atmosphere. This pollution dome leads to enhanced concentrations of greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, which have been easily detected by satellite observations.
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California cities take up nine spots in the top 10 cities with the worst air quality
California is known for its poor air quality, and this is reflected in the American Lung Association's State of the Air Report, which ranks several of the state's cities among the worst in the country for pollution. In particular, the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area stood out as the worst offender in the United States for ozone pollution, with a staggering average of about 153.7 high ozone days annually from 2021 to 2023. This is a striking 65 days more per year than the second-worst spot for ozone pollution.
The report also highlighted that California cities took up nine spots in the top 10 cities with the worst short-term particle pollution. The cities included in this ranking were Fresno, Sacramento, San Diego, Chula Vista, and Carlsbad. These metropolitan areas experienced a significant number of high ozone days and struggled with maintaining healthy air quality for their residents.
The American Lung Association's report graded metropolitan areas and counties across California based on three critical pollution measures: ozone, year-round particle pollution, and short-term particle pollution. The data used for these assessments spanned from 2021 to 2023, providing a comprehensive overview of the state's air quality challenges.
It is worth noting that the Clean Air Act has played a pivotal role in driving pollution reduction over the past 50 years. Despite this, air pollution remains a pressing issue, with nearly half of Americans living in areas where the air quality received a failing grade in the "State of the Air" report for 2025. This report sheds light on the urgent need for policymakers and government officials to implement effective measures to address the air pollution faced by millions of people in California and across the United States.
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People of colour are exposed to 4.6 ppb more NO2 than white people
People of colour in the United States are exposed to higher levels of air pollution than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. This disparity is particularly evident in the case of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a harmful transportation-related pollutant emitted by vehicles, power plants, and industrial sources.
Research has revealed that people of colour consistently breathe in more NO2, with exposure levels significantly influenced by race. In 2010, black and Hispanic individuals experienced 37% higher exposures to NO2 than white people, only a slight decrease from the 40% gap observed in 2000. This disparity is not merely a coincidence; it is a consequence of systemic racism and discriminatory housing policies that have placed communities of colour closer to major roads, industrial plants, and other sources of pollutants.
The impact of this inequality is profound. A University of Washington study estimated that if people of colour had been exposed to the same levels of NO2 as white people, approximately 5,000 premature deaths from heart disease could have been prevented in 2010. NO2 pollution is linked to various health issues, including coughing, wheezing, infections, and increased susceptibility to respiratory problems and heart disease, particularly in those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma.
While overall NO2 levels in the US have decreased over time, the relative gap between exposures for people of colour and white individuals has persisted. This indicates that policies to reduce NO2 pollution have not adequately addressed the racial disparities in exposure levels. The University of Washington study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, highlights the urgent need to recognise and address environmental injustice and protect the health of communities of colour who are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
It is worth noting that air pollution affects more than just NO2 levels. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is another regulated pollutant that people of colour in the US are disproportionately exposed to, according to a study by the EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions. PM2.5 pollution, originating from sources like industry, agriculture, vehicles, and construction, poses serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations, including young, old, and chronically ill individuals.
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Lower-income Caucasians are exposed to 3.4 ppb more NO2 than higher-income Caucasians
Income and race are two factors that play a significant role in exposure to air pollution in the United States. Research has shown that racial and ethnic minorities, as well as low-income groups, are exposed to higher levels of air pollution. People of colour, particularly African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and other non-white populations, are consistently exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants, regardless of their income level or region. This disparity is driven by systemic racism and housing policies that have historically pushed people of colour and pollution sources closer together.
While the annual maximum recommended exposure to PM2.5 is 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3), many Americans still live in areas that received failing grades for air pollution measures. Shafter, California, for example, has the worst air quality in the US, with PM2.5 levels averaging 16.1 μg/m³. On the other hand, Kalaoa, Hawaii, has the "best" worst air quality at 4.7 μg/m³, which is still below the WHO guideline.
Within these polluted areas, lower-income Caucasians are exposed to 3.4 ppb more NO2 than their higher-income counterparts. This disparity in exposure to NO2 is a result of the differential location of housing facilities. Lower-income areas are often situated closer to sources of pollution, such as busy highways, or industrial sites or agricultural areas, leading to increased exposure to traffic-related air pollution and other harmful emissions.
The health implications of air pollution are significant, with particle pollution increasing the risk of lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and early death. Additionally, breathing in ozone can irritate the lungs, causing inflammation, and increasing the risk of premature birth and lower birth weight in newborns. These health risks disproportionately affect low-income Caucasians exposed to higher levels of NO2 and other pollutants.
Addressing these disparities requires action from policymakers and government agencies. The Clean Air Act has played a crucial role in improving air quality over the past five decades, and continued enforcement of regulations by agencies like the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is vital. By monitoring air pollution levels, implementing effective rules, and ensuring enforcement, these organisations can work towards reducing the environmental injustice faced by low-income Caucasians and other vulnerable communities.
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Hawaii has the best air quality in the US
Hawaii has some of the cleanest air in the US. According to the American Lung Association's 2019 "State of the Air" report, Honolulu and Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina are two of the cleanest cities in the country. Honolulu County recorded a new low for annual average particle pollution, with levels less than half of the highest ever recorded in 2009-2011. The report also noted that Honolulu had no days of unhealthy air quality due to ozone pollution, a notable achievement given the increase in ozone levels in most US cities.
The clean air in Hawaii is attributed to factors such as trade winds that disperse pollution. However, the state does experience occasional volcanic smog, or "vog". Despite this, Waimea, Hawaii, was reported to have the cleanest air in the US in 2024, with a PM2.5 level of just 1.7 µg/m³. This is significantly lower than the World Health Organization's recommended safe threshold of 5 µg/m³.
While Hawaii boasts excellent air quality, it is not immune to the threats of increasing climate change and air pollution. Kahala Howser, Executive Director for the American Lung Association in Hawaii, emphasizes the need for vigilance during vog episodes and the potential impact on public health and people's lives.
In contrast to Hawaii's clean air, many other states struggle with poor air quality. For example, Shafter in California has the worst air quality in the US, with PM2.5 levels averaging 16.1 µg/m³. Other highly polluted cities include Mission, Texas, and Nampa, Idaho, which also have high PM2.5 concentrations. More than 42 million people in the US live in counties that received failing grades for all three air pollution measures in the "State of the Air" 2025 report.
The effects of air pollution on health are significant. Particle pollution is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, early death, heart attacks, and strokes. Ozone pollution, often referred to as smog, can irritate the lungs and cause inflammation. Climate change's impact on wildfire frequency further exacerbates the problem by spreading dangerous particle pollution. Therefore, addressing air pollution and mitigating climate change are crucial for protecting public health and improving the quality of life for all Americans.
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Frequently asked questions
California has the worst air quality in the US, with Los Angeles being the city with the most contaminated air in the country.
Aside from Los Angeles, other cities in California such as Ontario, Shafter, and San Francisco also have poor air quality. Outside of California, Nampa in Idaho is also one of the most polluted cities in the US.
The main causes of air pollution in the US include emissions from power plants that use fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and wildfires.
Air pollution can cause lung cancer, early death, heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory issues such as aggravated asthma. It is also linked to an increased risk of premature birth and lower birth weight in newborns.
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