The air we breathe is polluted and that is already an accepted fact. The ranking of the largest producers of air pollution in the U.S. were based on the health quality of its population. The increase in hospital admissions for diseases linked to air pollution provided one of the ranking factors.
Classification of Air Pollutants
Statistics reveal that about 800,000 deaths each year are attributable to outdoor air pollution. In addition to this information, indoor air pollution has caused around 1.6 million premature deaths. Although, much improvement was noted among cities in both the developed and developing world regarding their air quality. Nevertheless, despite stricter standards and regulations, air pollution remains as the greatest environmental threat to human existence.
In order to monitor the levels of compliance in US cities with the standards set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollution is further classified into three types of pollutants that cause the most damage to health and environment:
The Three Most Damaging Air Pollutants that Affect Environment and Health
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) - that which is emitted in the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil during industrial processes such as smelting.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) - emissions produced from engine sources like cars and other motor vehicles as well as those emitted from stationary sources like power plants.
Particulate Matter (PM) – these are the fine particles floating in the air and are further classified according to its sizes; PM10, particles with less than 10 microns in diameter and PM2.5 with particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Particulate matters or PM are emitted from vehicles, power plants and industrial processes in almost equal measure.
Other pollutants considered are Carbon Monoxide, Lead, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which include hydrocarbons, alcohols, formaldehydes, and ethers. They also come from emissions produced by vehicles and industrial burning of fossil fuel.
Largest Producers of Air Pollution in the US
However, recent scientific research discloses that even low levels of air pollution can have a negative effect on human health due to the presence of mixed fine particulate matters. Since US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), puts more credibility on multi-city studies, the largest producers of air pollution in the US were categorized in accordance with the type of air pollutant that contributes to the poor quality of air in the U.S.
The ranking of the cities regarding particulate matter or particle pollution was based on studies that link these pollutants to the health conditions of the population. The increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits in an area, which links particle pollution as the main cause of the disorder including death from long or short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM). Below are lists of the top ten largest producers of air pollution in the US according to types of air pollutant:
Top Ten Cities with the Highest Level of Particle Pollution Exposure – Short Term Category
Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Fresno, Bakersfield, Birmingham, Logan-UT, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Detroit, and Washington;
Top Ten Cities with the Highest Level of Particle Pollution Exposure – Long-Term or Year-Round Exposure Category
Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Bakersfield, Birmingham, Visalia-Porterville, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Fresno, Hanford and Detroit;
Top Ten Cities with the Highest Level of Ozone Pollution
Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Visalia-Porterville, Houston, Fresno, Sacramento, Dallas, New York, Baltimore, Baton Rouge
As an added note, the common causes of the pollutants in the east side of the United States are the increased electrical power plants that produce a lot of by-product emissions. The west side on the other hand is showing signs of improvement. The soot levels are going down steadily and California showed the most improvement in their yearly particle levels.
Common Disorders or Diseases Caused by Air Pollution
According to the American Lung Association, millions of people in the U.S. alone suffer from asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema while exposed to high levels of all types of pollution. In addition, people who are suffering from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are warned of facing greater risks. Living in areas that constantly expose them to high levels of particle pollution can cause further damage to their cardiovascular systems.
The EPA continuously monitors all aspects in the industrial sectors, including those involved in providing transport services for land, sea, and air. Provisions of the Clean Air Act are strictly enforced and the EPA directs each provincial government unit to regulate or institute necessary measures on any violations committed by cities, towns, or counties.
Furthermore, the American Lung Association is enjoining people to observe several key steps to improve the quality of the air we breathe:
- Drive less since vehicle emission is a major cause of air pollution. Local government communities should therefore provide more sidewalks, bike trails and transit systems.
- Stop burning wood or trash since they are the largest sources of particles that pollute the air. Maintain compost, recycle if possible, and avoid wood burning stoves or outdoor boilers. Use natural gas for stove fuel instead of wood.
- Try to use less electricity since electricity is also one of the biggest producers of air pollutants.
- Be proactive and participate in community and state plans and efforts to keep and make clean the air we breathe.
We have lived our lives in comfort and ease in modernity but somewhere along the way, we forgot our sense of responsibility.