According to a press release issued by the American Lung Association, Pittsburgh is the #1 city in the U.S. with the highest levels of particle pollution. This is a direct result of the ash, soot, car exhaust, aerosols and other harmful pollutants produced by the city.

Pittsburgh also ranks second for the most year-round particle pollution, right behind Los Angeles.

The Rest of the Report

The report uses standards for ozone levels as created by the EPA and covers data from 1996-2006. One of the most interesting findings was that nearly one-third of the U.S. population lives in areas with unhealthful levels of ozone

Still, other cities grew closer to the top spot as some of the most polluted areas in America. These cities include Washington D.C., Atlanta, Charlotte and Baltimore.

You can read more statistics about the report here.

Even though a few cities, like Fresno, California, did improve their air quality standards, the overall result is that U.S. citizens are breathing in air that is hazardous to their health.

Hopefully this report will make city officials realize how the pollution is affecting the well-being of their citizens and force them to take action to make their cities cleaner and greener.