Study Says Most Americans Live In Counties With Unhealthy Levels Of Air Pollution; California Tops As Most Ozone-Polluted Area

A new study by the American Lung Association found that most Americans live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution. It also cited California as the most ozone-polluted area.

The recent study called "State of the Air 2016" says that more than half of the total population in the United States or almost 166 million Americans are dwelling in hot spots where air pollution reached unhealthy levels. This means that most Americans have increased risk to premature death, as well as to various health problems like asthma, cardiovascular damage and lung cancer.

What's the State of YOUR #Air? Find out w/ American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2016" report: https://t.co/3CmYBm4eAo

— American Lung Assoc. (@LungAssociation) April 20, 2016

California Has The Worst Air Pollution

Results of the study show that California is the most ozone-polluted area with 32 million Americans or eight out of 10 residents exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. Los Angeles-Long Beach area is the top hot spot in the state and in the nation that has the worst ozone pollution.

Moreover, Bakersfield topped as the most polluted city for short-term particle pollution and most polluted by year-round particle pollution. Visalia-Porterville-Hanford and Fresno-Madera were also included in the list as top ozone-polluted areas.

Air Pollution Is Slowly Decreasing

Despite the alarming findings, the study found that the air quality in the United States is slowly improving compared to the previous years. The study noted that there is a continued reduction of ozone and year-round particle pollution since 2012.

Los Angeles recorded its all-time best air quality despite remaining as the worst area with unhealthy levels of air pollution. Moreover, Burlington-South Burlington in Vermont, Salinas in California, Elmira-Corning in New York and Honolulu were also listed as cleanest cities in the US.

Harold Wimmer, CEO of American Lung Association, told NBC News that the notable reduction of ozone and year-round particle pollution could be attributed to the use of cleaner vehicles and power plants. He, however, said that these measures are not enough.

"Climate change has increased the challenges to protecting public health," Wimmer stated. "We simply must do more to protect the health of Americans."