Best & Worst Cities for Ozone Pollution Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions This information has been reviewed and approved by Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD (June 2023). Summary: Best and Worst Cities for Ozone Pollution Cleanest Cities by Ozone Albany-Schenectady, NY Asheville-Marion-Brevard, NC Bangor, ME Bellingham, WA Blacksburg-Christiansburg, VA Bowling Green-Glasgow, KY Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville, TX Brunswick, GA Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT Charleston-Huntington-Ashland, WV-OH-KY Charlottesville, VA Clarksville, TN-KY Cleveland-Indianola, MS Columbia-Moberly-Mexico, MO Columbus-Auburn-Opelika, GA-AL Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Decatur, IL Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA Duluth, MN-WI Eau Claire-Menomonie, WI Elmira-Corning, NY Erie-Meadville, PA Fairbanks, AK Fayetteville-Sanford-Lumberton, NC Flagstaff, AZ Worst Cities for Ozone Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Visalia, CA Bakersfield, CA Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA Phoenix-Mesa, AZ Denver-Aurora, CO Sacramento-Roseville, CA San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Houston-The Woodlands, TX Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, UT San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA El Centro, CA El Paso-Las Cruces, TX-NM Fort Collins, CO Las Vegas-Henderson, NV Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV Colorado Springs, CO San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Redding-Red Bluff, CA San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM Hartford-East Hartford, CT Source: American Lung Association 2023 What is Ozone Pollution? Bad or ground-level ozone pollution is created when vehicle and other emissions mix with pollutants and are heated by the sun. Warmer weather increases ground-level ozone pollution. What Makes Air Quality Unhealthy? The Air Quality Index (AQI) grades air quality based on ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide levels. Visit airnow.gov or watch local alerts. Protect Your Lungs from Ozone Pollution Watch local air quality advisories. Ozone levels are always lower in the morning, so plan outdoor activities accordingly. The elderly, the very young and those with lung disease are at the highest risk from severe ozone pollution and should limit afternoon outdoor time during poor ozone days Keep windows closed. Take medications exactly as prescribed. Use the circulate setting on your home thermostat to keep polluted air out. Call your doctor if symptoms increase or if you need more medication. Facemasks are highly encouraged to limit COVID-19 infection but provide no protection against ozone pollution. More Information on Pollution Air Quality Index Wildfire Smoke Cardiology Programs Adult Asthma Treatment Programs Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: You may use this infographic or our Best and Worst Cities for Ozone Pollution (pdf) with permission by completing our content usage request form.