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Southern California dominates list of America’s dirtiest cities
Environment Jun 03, 2024
Santa Fe station and Harvey House in San Bernardino. | Photo by Ron Reiring CC BY 2.0 DEED
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A recent study by LawnStarter reveals that eight of the nation’s 50 dirtiest cities are located in Southern California, with San Bernardino rising to the third spot. The study, titled “2023’s Dirtiest Cities in America,” assessed factors such as living conditions, city infrastructure, pollution, and consumer satisfaction. Data sources for the study included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
San Bernardino’s unfortunate leap to third place is attributed to its top rankings in overall pollution and consumer dissatisfaction regarding city cleanliness. The presence of a large number of warehouses east of Los Angeles contributes significantly to these high pollution levels in Riverside and San Bernardino. Additionally, Inland Empire cities such as Ontario, Riverside, Fontana, and Rancho Cucamonga were noted for having the worst air pollution in the study.
While the top two spots in the study were taken by cities further east in Texas and New Jersey, the heavy pollution and low consumer satisfaction in Southern California have made it a prominent feature in the report. The American Lung Association’s State of the Air Report corroborates these findings, highlighting San Bernardino and Riverside for their poor air quality.
Los Angeles, often referred to as the “poster child of pollution,” secured the 15th spot overall. Although it ranked 30th in terms of pollution, it achieved the 12th spot in terms of consumer satisfaction, indicating a notable level of displeasure among residents. Other Los Angeles County cities that made the list include Palmdale at 17th, Glendale at 28th, and Long Beach at 43rd.
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