Report Cards are a Dumb Metric

The American Lung Association (ALA) is like Mommie Dearest - beating the Sacramento area with a wire hanger despite our diligent efforts hanging clothes up. 

Apparently our air pollution levels are among the worst in the country. Regarding ozone, the Sac Metro area placed 7th-worst in the country for 2024. Still, 20 years ago, in 2004, the area placed 11th, despite ozone levels being notably worse than they are today. 

The paradox is that as pollution levels decline, the areas that have geographic impediments to improvement (as every city in California does) will stand out for their slow progress. 9(Particle levels have recently reemerged as a problem, which could be addressed if we can somehow stop burning down forests every other year next to the city limits.) 

Report cards are a dumb metric. 

Here are the top 10 most polluted metropolitan areas in the United States in terms of ozone, according to the American Lung Association: 

Los Angeles-Long Beach

Visalia 

Bakersfield 

Fresno-Madera-Hanford 

Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona 

Denver-Aurora, Colorado 

Sacramento-Roseville 

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad 

Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, Utah 

Houston-The Woodlands, Texas