The following information is provided by Graphiq and HealthGrove:
By Christina Lavingia
Breathing is as automatic as your heartbeat, but if you live in a polluted area, each breath could be detrimental to your health.
PM2.5 particles, classified as a fine air pollutant with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, have the ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. A study published in The Lancet found that for every 10 ug/m3 increase of PM2.5 particles, lung cancer incidences increased by 36 percent. Potential sources of PM2.5 include motor vehicles, power plants, wood burning and other industrial processes.
HealthGrove wanted to see which of the 50 U.S. states (and Washington, D.C.) has the most polluted air. Using data from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we analyzed average daily fine particulate matter (ug/m3) from 2003 to 2011.
HealthGrove ranked the 25 most polluted states based on PM2.5 particle levels. For each state, we list the most polluted county as well as the rate of cancer and heart disease deaths — both of which are correlated to air pollutant levels.
Note that the top-polluted counties in each state are often not the most populated areas. This could be due to wind patterns that move pollution or the rural location of many industrial processes. Weather patterns also account for the lower levels of air pollution near coastal regions.
#25. Nebraska
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 11.21
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 185.1
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 180.9
Most Polluted County: Box Butte
#24. Michigan
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 11.41
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 205.8
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 244.1
Most Polluted County: Lenawee
#23. Wisconsin
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 11.47
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 198.9
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 197.9
Most Polluted County: Kenosha
#22. Louisiana
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 11.63
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 203.6
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 223.7
Most Polluted County: East Carroll
#21. California
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 11.65
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 150.6
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 157.3
Most Polluted County: Mono
#20. Minnesota
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 11.69
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 177.1
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 142.3
Most Polluted County: Pope
#19. Arkansas
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 12.13
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 226
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 249.3
Most Polluted County: Mississippi
#18. New Jersey
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 12.46
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 183.3
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 207.4
Most Polluted County: Hunterdon
#17. Delaware
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 12.87
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 205.8
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 201
Most Polluted County: New Castle
#16. Nevada
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 12.96
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 172.6
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 194.8
Most Polluted County: Esmeralda
#15. North Carolina
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 12.99
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 188.8
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 181.1
Most Polluted County: Cherokee
#14. South Carolina
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.16
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 204.1
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 202.1
Most Polluted County: Oconee
#13. Mississippi
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.16
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 218.2
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 257.9
Most Polluted County: Noxubee
#12. Virginia
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.26
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 174.5
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 165.4
Most Polluted County: Lee
#11. Georgia
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.3
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 164.3
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 165.6
Most Polluted County: Dawson
#10. Pennsylvania
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.35
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 223.2
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 247.6
Most Polluted County: Beaver
#9. Illinois
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.38
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 190.1
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 192.8
Most Polluted County: Wabash
#8. Maryland
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.47
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 178.9
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 189.7
Most Polluted County: Garrett
#7. Washington, DC
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.58
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 169.4
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 207.3
#6. West Virginia
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.76
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 254.4
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 251.6
Most Polluted County: Hancock
#5. Alabama
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 13.95
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 213.7
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 258
Most Polluted County: Hale
#4. Tennessee
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 14.02
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 214.8
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 227.9
Most Polluted County: Polk
#3. Kentucky
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 14.1
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 229.4
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 226.9
Most Polluted County: Webster
#2. Ohio
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 14.23
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 215.9
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 232.3
Most Polluted County: Carroll
#1. Indiana
Air Pollution (ug/m3): 14.36
Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 201.8
Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 209.6
Most Polluted County: Posey
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