The most polluted US cities linked to health concerns
According to a report published on Wednesday by the American Lung Association (ALA), over 166 million people in America, more than 50% of all Americans, are exposed to unhealthy levels of either ozone or particulate pollution. This puts them at risk of premature death and other serious health problems, including lung cancer, asthma attacks and developmental harm. Despite lower ozone levels and long-term averages of particulates, the annual State of the Air report suggests global warming is causing short-term spikes in air pollution.

Despite improvements, the state of California has the most polluted air in the U.S., according to a new report. Based on 2012-2014 readings, 52.1% of Americans inhabit areas with detrimental ozone or particle pollution.

"California is making tremendous progress," said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, senior director of air quality and climate change at the American Lung Association in California. "But we have a lot more work to do," Holmes-Gen told the Associated Press.

California Cities Packing Most Air Pollution

The American Lung Association's 2016 State of the Air report found that Bakersfield City has the worst air in America from pollution due to highway traffic, farm equipment and fireplaces, AP reported. Los Angeles heads the pack for ozone pollution from car tailpipes that emit smog.

The 2016 State of the Air Report also showed that eight out of 10 California residents equivalent to 32 million people are living in counties with harmful levels of ozone or particle pollution at some point during a year. It was based on data from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Los Angeles, Long Beach, Riverside Worst Areas

Notwithstanding improvements, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside region was the leading ozone polluted area in the USA, according to a report from the Press-Telegram. The counties of San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange Counties received "F" grades for ozone pollution.

On the other hand, some metropolitan areas showed the best ozone or particle pollution readings in years, including Los Angeles. Los Angeles recorded the lowest air pollution levels in 17 years, Olivia J. Diaz-Lapham, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, said in a news conference.

Health Hazards From Air Pollution

The report noted a continued improvement in air quality in the USA, despite 166 million citizens living in air pollution. These people were said to be up for numerous health hazards such as premature death, lung cancer, asthma, cardiovascular damage and developmental and reproductive harm.

The report uses three measures of air pollution, namely, ozone, short-term and year-round particle pollution. "There are still nearly 20 million people in the United States that live with unhealthful levels of all three measures of air pollution the report tracks," Harold P. Wimmer, American Lung Association National President and CEO said in a news release via the American Lung Association.