Poor air quality can present a challenge for anyone, but especially for people living with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory illnesses. Luckily, the EPA has released its annual list of cities with poor air quality for this year. These five cities have been listed as having poor-to-very-poor quality ozone levels, nitrogen dioxide levels, sulfur dioxide levels, particulate matter levels, and levels of other pollutants that can cause breathing problems for most people with respiratory issues:
1. Greensboro, NC
Greensboro is one of the many cities in the country that has used regulations to force industries to reduce the particulate content of their emissions. Despite this, it was ranked by the EPA as the worst city for patients with asthma and COPD. These two conditions are closely related, so it’s no surprise that would be an increase in both when living in this area. Additionally, the city is close to the high pollution areas of Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA, which are within a few hours’ drive.
2. Dayton, OH
Dayton is located in a major metropolitan area and has consistently poor air quality due to the influence of nearby cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Indianapolis. It’s also one of the few cities on this list that has an official monitoring station, so we can be almost sure of its poor quality air. It is estimated that the top four causes of death in the city are cancers, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and stroke. It’s also listed as a high allergy area, which makes it especially challenging to live there with asthma.
3. Springfield, MA
Springfield’s ozone levels are consistently high due to the proximity of the city to Hartford and Boston, which supply most of the city’s pollution. The city has also been ranked among the worst for asthma sufferers due to the large amount of particulate matter in the air, especially near the Connecticut River. You’ll definitely want to bring a good mask with you when going outside here if you suffer from respiratory ailments.
4. Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia has been ranked as the second most polluted city for asthma sufferers in America—after only Los Angeles, CA. Unfortunately, another seasonal air pollutant, PM2.5, is also present at levels that can cause respiratory problems or other debilitating illnesses. If you’re visiting this city with breathing issues, be sure to consult with your physician about a treatment regimen to get you through your stay.
5. Cleveland, OH
Cleveland has been consistently rated as one of the most polluted cities in the country for a number of reasons, particularly due to its close proximity to various coal power plants. Even though some industries have moved or reduced their emission output, Cleveland is still ranked as the second worst city for asthma sufferers by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The particulate matter in this area is well above average, and it’s no surprise that both allergies and asthma are common complaints among residents.
