Prescott is Best Clean Air City. What’s Worst?

So this is scary. The American Lung Association just released their annual State of the Air Report, and—duh—climate change has everything to do with it. Prescott, AZ is one of the best clean air cities in the country. What are the worst? Read on!

Cities in the western part of the United States typically ranked the most poorly in terms of short-term particle pollution, year-round particle pollution and ozone pollution. Warmer temperatures from climate change increase ozone pollution; as the weather heats up, droughts and fires increase the risk of particulate matter in the air, which is especially problematic for asthma sufferers. Air pollution has also been linked to heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer.

According to the report, four in 10 Americans live in areas at risk: Click here to find out if yours is on the list, or if you’re in a clean air contender. If you live in cities like Fresno, Bakersfield and my home town of Los Angeles, which top the at-risk lists, take these five steps to make sure you’ve got clean air inside your home, offsetting what’s going on outside.