Drinking clean water and breathing clean air are two things most Americans take for granted, but it should not be this way. In some parts of America, the ozone layer is thin, and the air has high particulate content. Of course, if you are planning a relocation for a job, you often ignore this aspect, but if you have a severe breathing disorder, these are a few places you must give a miss.

The most air-polluted cities in the US are

1. Fresno – Madera, California
In this Californian city, there is always persistent, lingering air pollution. Thus pollution is majorly because of the mix of a stable, warm weather front that makes the pollution stay intact and the valley walls that accumulate the pollution over the area. The city also has a fourth ranking for having high ozone days from the 220 metropolitan areas.

2. Bakersfield, California
When it comes to particle pollution, Bakersfield city in California happens to be one of the most air-polluted cities in the US. From 2016 to 2018, this Californian city, unfortunately, led this category. Gas and oil production facilities also play a significant role in addition to air pollution. More so, its location in the San Joaquin Valley, known to trap and hold pollution, is also a key factor responsible for it being one of the country’s most polluted cities.

3. Los Angeles, California
The metro area from LA to Long Beach is the badge-wearer for 2020 smog capital. This Californian city is home to about 18.7 million people. High pollution levels in LA are an outcome of the several trucks and cars that clog the roads. Moreover, the sunny weather does not help at all with the air quality. Instead, sunlight only ramps the smog levels, heightening the symptoms for 1.5 million residents suffering from one or the other form of asthma.

4. Fairbanks, Alaska
In both short-term and year-round particle pollution, Fairbanks holds a high spot on the list. People from Fairbanks are often exposed to multiple cold inversions that take place every winter. However, the wooden heaters and stoves that residents employ to keep their homes warm is the primary attributor to particle pollution in the city.

5. Visalia, California
Visalia is also one of the most air-polluted cities in the US, with a high ranking in year-round particle pollution. Tulare country and Visalia, situated in the San Joaquin Valley, are home to over one million cattle, which is two times its human population. More so, the industrial dairies in the city play a significant role in the city’s high pollution levels, also including the high methane emission levels.

6. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix has more than 250,000 people who suffer from COPD, a lung disorder that only further aggravates with air pollution. This smog level in this hot, dry city is further heightened because as many as eighty-nine percent of the locals commute to work alone on a motorcycle or car.