2024 "State of the Air" Report: This California City is the Most Polluted in the United States

Almost four out of every 10 people in the United States live in a place where air pollution is considered bad enough to put their health at risk. That proportion of people — is roughly 39% of the population. [Source CBS]

Photo byChris LeBoutillieronUnsplash

California is considered the most polluted state in the US, with six of the most polluted cities located there. According to a 2024 report "State of the Air" by the American Lung Association, some of the most polluted cities in California include:

• Bakersfield and Visalia: Tied for first place for year-round particle pollution.
• Los Angeles: Has had the worst ozone pollution for almost 24 years.
• San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland: One of the worst cities for year-round particle pollution.
• Sacramento-Roseville: One of the worst cities for year-round particle pollution.

Why Bakersfield?

At the top of the list of worst U.S. cities for daily and year-round particle pollution was Bakersfield, which received the same ranking in last year's "State of the Air" report. Bakersfield, is an industrial city known for agriculture, mining and oil refineries, has been ranked worst for year-round particle pollution five years in a row.

The Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set health-based limits, called National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), for six dangerous outdoor air pollutants: particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead. The American Lung Association report “State of the Air” looks at two of the most widespread and dangerous pollutants from this group, fine particulate matter and ozone.

California Attorney General

The Attorney General has long played a leading role in ensuring that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carries out its duties under the federal Clean Air Act. The Attorney General has encouraged EPA to regulate not only greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles (see “Clean Cars”), but also from other types of vehicles (vessels, aircraft, and non-road vehicles) and power plants.

Here are some ways to protect your health when air quality is poor:

• Stay indoors: However, outdoor air quality can still impact indoor air quality.
• Limit time outdoors: If the air quality index (AQI) is high, try to limit your time outside to less than 30 minutes.
• Avoid strenuous activity: If you do go outside, keep activities light and avoid activities that last longer than two hours.
• Wear a mask: Consider wearing an N95 mask that can filter out pollutants.
• Close windows and doors: This helps keep indoor air healthy.
• Use an air purifier: You can use an HVAC system, HEPA portable air cleaner, or DIY box fan filter.
• Take a shower or bath: After being outside, you can take a shower or bath.
• Stay informed: Monitor air quality and take breaks in a well-ventilated area.

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Source Links:

• https://oag.ca.gov/environment/clean-air/clean-cars
• https://oag.ca.gov/environment/clean-air#:~:text=In%20April%202007%2C%20the%20U.S.,EPA%20began%20regulating%20GHG%20pollution.
• https://www.epa.gov
• https://www.lung.org/getmedia/dabac59e-963b-4e9b-bf0f-73615b07bfd8/State-of-the-Air-2024.pdf