The American Lung Association “State of the Air 2026” report ranks cities and grades counties based on their levels of ozone and two measures of particle pollution in 2022, 2023 and 2024. We use official data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compile the results.
The State of the Air Report also breaks down some statistics by city. For instance, Lancaster, PA is ranked #19 on the list of worst short-term particle pollution.
The Greater Philadelphia – Reading – Camden area is ranked:
- Ranked 43 worst for high ozone days out of 226 metropolitan areas
- Ranked 27 worst for 24-hour particle pollution out of 224 metropolitan areas
- Ranked 17 worst for annual particle pollution out of 211 metropolitan areas