The American Lung Association State of the Air 2015 shows that more than 44% of the people of the United States had unhealthy air quality in their communities. The report looked at levels of ozone and particle pollution found in in official monitoring sites across the United States in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The report illustrates that the greatest progress came in the continued reduction of of year-round particle pollution in the eastern half of the nation owing to the use of clear fuels. What has been the highlight of the report is the fact that the impact of climate change is particularly evident in the West where heat and drought create situations ripe for episodes of high particle days. While 13 cities recorded their cleanest years yet communities need more help help to reduce ozone pollution in the warmer temperatures.

Let’s have a look at the top 10 cleanest U.S cities for Year-Round Particle Pollution:

10 – Anchorage, AK

With a population of 396,142, Anchorage has a subarctic climate and is ranked 10th in the list of top 10 cleanest cities in the United States. The city, however, has slipped from its 6th spot that it attained in the State of the Air 2011. In residential areas, wood stoves and fireplaces are the major sources of year-round particle pollution.

9 – Salinas, CA

Salina has secured an “A” in air quality and has the cleanest air in any of the cities of California. The daily ebb and flow of weather and wind patterns, the openness of the valley to the sea and low industrial and traffic emissions keep the air in the country best in the city.

8 – Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

Tied at the 8th spot is Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL and has a population of 505,823. With 0.065 ppm, it has better ground level ozone concentration than the national standard of 0.075 ppm.

7 – Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI

The data collection area of Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina are ranked 7th among the cleanest cities in the nation in year-round and short-term particle pollution. Both the Kauai and Maui collection areas received “A” grades for short-term particle pollution.

6 – Duluth, MN-WI

Duluth stands as the 6th cleanest U.S. city in terms of year round particle pollution. As in the past years, Minnesota’s score in the State of the Air report are good.

5 – Flagstaff, AZ

At the 5th place is the city of Flagstaff which has an air quality of 75 on a scale to 100. This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air, as reported by the EPA.

4 – Cheyenne, WY

Ranked 2nd in the State of the Air 2012 report, Cheyenne has dropped to the 4th spot in this year’s list of the cleanest U.S. cities for year round particle pollution.

3 – Casper, WY

Another city of Wyoming famous for its crisp mountain air and idyllic views, Casper, is tied as the third cleanest city in the country.

2 – Farmington, NM

Farmington has a population of 125,503 and enjoys some of the cleanest air in the nation as it stands at the enviable second spot. Farmington’s ground level ozone concentration is 0.071 ppm which is better than the national average of 0.075 ppm.

1 – Prescott, AZ

Prescott, with a population of 215,133, has the least annual particle pollution of any metro area in the nation and so is ranked the number one cleanest U.S. city. Prescott has ground level ozone concentration of 0.072 ppm.

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