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America's 25 Most Ozone-Polluted Metropolitan Areas, 2008

Each year the American Lung Association issues their "State of the Air" report. They track year-round and short-term particle pollution as well as the ozone pollution listed here. Though ozone pollution isn't the obvious, sooty kind of pollution, it can still be harmful to your health. Studies have shown that ozone pollution can worsen conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease.

Rank City
1. Los Angeles, Calif.
2. Bakersfield, Calif.
3. Visalia, Calif.
4. Houston, Tex.
5. Fresno, Calif.
6. Sacramento, Calif.
7. Dallas, Tex.
8. New York, N.Y.
9. D.C. / Baltimore, Md.
10. Baton Rouge, La.
11. Philadelphia, Pa.
12. Atlanta, Ga.
13. Charlotte, N.C.
14. San Diego, Calif.
15. St. Louis, Mo.
16. Beaumont, Tex.
17. Merced, Calif.
18. El Centro, Calif.
19. Phoenix, Ariz.
20. Kansas City, Mo.
21. Modesto, Calif.
22. Birmingham, Ala.
23. Las Vegas, Nev.
24. Chicago, Ill.
24. Hanford, Calif.
24. Milwaukee, Wis.
Source: State of the Air: 2008, American Lung Association.

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