Unveiling America's 10 Most Polluted Cities
The Impact of Living in Polluted Cities
Living in polluted cities, characterized by poor air quality and the presence of litter and pests, can significantly impact the quality of life. Air pollution poses a serious threat to lung health, contributing to respiratory diseases and worsening conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Moreover, uncollected garbage and widespread litter can become breeding grounds for disease vectors and viruses.
Ranking the Dirtiest Cities in the U.S.
A map created by Kayla Zhu from Visual Capitalist, using data as of June 2024, illustrates the top 10 dirtiest cities in the U.S. This ranking is based on a proprietary scoring system from Lawnstarter, which evaluated over 300 major cities on four main categories: pollution, infrastructure, living conditions, and resident dissatisfaction. The score calculations incorporated various metrics such as air quality index, per capita greenhouse gas emissions, water quality violations, quantity of waste in landfills per capita, population density, and the proportion of overcrowded rooms.
San Bernardino: The Dirtiest City in America
San Bernardino County in California is home to two of the top 10 dirtiest cities in the U.S., with San Bernardino city ranking first and Ontario city ranking fifth. California, Texas, and New Jersey each have two cities in the top 10. San Bernardino County consistently ranks as the worst in the country for ozone and particulate pollution.
The county is a significant shipping hub, housing multiple freight and warehouse corridors. Located in the Inland Empire, adjacent to coastal Southern California, it boasts about 1 billion square feet of warehouse space. Heavy diesel truck traffic passes through its roadways daily, heading to the region’s 9,500 warehouses.
Diesel trucks are known to emit dangerous levels of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, leading to serious health outcomes such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. These areas have been dubbed as "diesel-death zones" by doctors.
Insights on Global Air Pollution
For more information on the countries with the worst air pollution globally, you can refer to this graphic mapping the top 20.
Bottom Line
The impact of pollution on human health and the environment is undeniable. Cities like San Bernardino illustrate the serious consequences of unchecked pollution, particularly from heavy diesel truck traffic. It's a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable practices and stricter environmental regulations. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think more should be done to combat pollution in these cities? Share this article with your friends and spark a discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6 pm.
