A new report by the American Lung Association has identified the US metro areas facing the most severe air pollution challenges in 2026.
The 27th annual 'State of the Air' report evaluates ozone and particle pollution levels across counties, states, and metropolitan regions.
California cities dominate the rankings, with Los Angeles-Long Beach taking the top spot as the most ozone-polluted metro area in the country.
Other major urban areas, including Phoenix-Mesa, AZ, Houston-Pasadena, TX, and Denver-Aurora-Greeley, CO, also report high ozone levels.
The report warns that rising temperatures are worsening the problem, particularly in densely populated cities.
Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, face the greatest risk of serious health issues.
The full list of the 15 US metro areas with the worst air pollution in 2026 is:
- Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
- Visalia, CA
- Bakersfield-Delano, CA
- Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
- Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, CA
- Houston-Pasadena, TX
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
- Denver-Aurora-Greeley, CO
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK
- El Centro, CA
- Las Vegas-Henderson, NV
- New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA
- Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, UT-ID
- San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA
- Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI
