These countries are least polluted according to a new study
Experts reveal that the air quality of some common holiday locations might make us rethink.
The Lake Havasu-Kingman area was found to enjoy the best air quality in the nation, while metro Phoenix has one of the worst, according to a recent study.
The study by SmartSurvey identified the areas across the country with the worst air quality by evaluating 12 air quality indicators using 2023 data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Each area was given a total index score — the lower the score, the worse the air quality.
It may not be a surprise to many that Phoenix and its surrounding cities scored poorly on the air quality index ranking. The Lake Havasu-Kingman area, on the other hand, excelled across all 12 factors, making it the best area in the nation for air quality, according to the study.
Mo Naser, CEO of SmartSurvey and data collection expert, said the areas identified in the study showed a “shocking” level of poor air quality, and he said the ranking was aimed at bringing awareness to the effects of emissions and fossil fuels in the environment.
“Making studies like this is so important,” Naser said. “Identifying the areas in the U.S. with the worst air quality, based on empirical evidence and data, brings awareness to how the air we breathe can be unhealthy, or even hazardous.”
Here’s why these two areas in Arizona obtained their respective spots in the ranking, as well as a rundown of the areas with the worst air quality across the county.
The 15 areas with the worst air quality in the US
These are the core-based statistical areas, which include metropolitan and micropolitan areas, with the worst air quality in the nation, along with their air quality index scores, according to SmartSurvey.
Keep in mind that the air quality index score assigned to each area is different from the air quality index determined by the Environmental Protection Agency. The lower the score in the ranking, the lower the air quality.
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California: 17.03
- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas: 28.36
- Albuquerque, New Mexico: 29.64
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin: 32.58
- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wisconsin: 33.41
- El Centro, California: 33.94
- Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio: 35.37
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan: 37.39
- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado: 37.70
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana: 38.57
- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona: 38.87
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 40.93
- Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama: 40.99
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Michigan: 41.20
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas: 41.59
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Does Lake Havasu have the best air quality in the US?
Located in Mohave County on the western border of Arizona and California, the Lake Havasu-Kingman area is typically considered a prime getaway spot in Arizona.
Lake Havasu City in particular boasts warm beaches, charming landscapes, amusing water activities and a dynamic nightlife, making it a go-to destination for those looking to get away and unwind. The area has just about everything that would make a great vacation destination: an ocean-like beachfront, multiple picnic and play areas, volleyball courts, dog parks, a skate park and the renowned London Bridge. With small waves lapping the shore and gulls crying overhead, it’s easy to forget you never left the state.
Add excellent air quality to the list of perks, and you might get a nearly perfect vacation destination to spend some time away this summer.
The Lake Havasu area enjoyed the best air quality in the nation in 2023, too, according to SmartSurvey. More than 95% of air quality index days in 2023 were good air quality days, zero were unhealthy or hazardous days and only seven were moderate. The area also had no carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide or PM2.5 days throughout the year. These are days with high concentrations of these pollutants in the air.
Moreover, the air quality index of the area, which is a number calculated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sits at about 15. The lower the air quality index, the better the air quality.
Does Phoenix have bad air quality?
Metro Phoenix ranked as the 11th area with the worst air quality in the U.S., just behind the Indianapolis, Denver and Detroit metros.
Phoenix and its adjacent cities obtained an overall score of 38.87 out of 100. Only about a fifth of Phoenix’s air quality index days last year were good air quality days, yet more than half were moderate days, and another fifth were unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Metro Phoenix’s median air quality index sits at about 71, which is about 56 points higher than the Lake Havasu-Kingman metro area. The higher the index, the lower the air quality. Phoenix also saw around 83 days with high concentrations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide or PM2.5 in 2023.
Laura Daniella Sepulveda is a trending reporter for the Arizona Republic. Reach her on Twitter at @lauradaniella_s or by email at laura.sepulveda@gannett.com.