If you have asthma, you understand how challenging it can be to enjoy life outside of your home. The air quality in many cities is so poor that breathing outside can make you feel like you’re choking on smog or dust. There are tons of factors that can affect how well a person living with asthma is able to breathe. Pollution, pollen, and weather are a few items that can make it tough for people who have asthma to get through their day. To aid you avoid some of the most difficult cities for asthmatics, we’ve put together this list of the worst cities for people with asthma based on air quality data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Here’s our list of the worst cities in America for asthmatics:
1. Greensboro, NC
Greensboro continuously ranks among the worst cities to live in with breathing issues. The city has a high pollen count, and this can cause sinus infections, asthma, and allergies. The average temperature in the summer is 89 degrees Fahrenheit with 85 percent humidity. The average winter temperature is 48 degrees Fahrenheit with a low of 32 degrees Fahrenheit in January. There are over 100 days of rainfall per year, so it’s important to have an air purifier in your home to protect against mold and other allergens that may be outside your door.
2. Dayton, OH
The city of Dayton is the second worst city in the US for people with breathing issues, according to the study. It was ranked as the second worst city overall out of 100 cities. The study found that Dayton OH has a high level of particulate pollution, which is linked to asthma and respiratory problems. The city also has high levels of ozone pollution and low levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), which indicates that few trees and plants are growing in the area.
3. Springfield, MA
Springfield, Massachusetts, is the worst city for people with breathing issues. The city’s air quality is so poor that it has been deemed unsafe by the EPA. This is especially concerning considering that Springfield has a lot of schools and parks, meaning many children are at risk for developing respiratory problems. Springfield, MA also has the highest rates of asthma in the country, which means they have more people suffering from breathing issues than anywhere else.
4. Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is known for having high rates of asthma. The city has been on the top list for poor air quality for years, and this year, it made number one on the list. The city’s air pollution comes from coal-fired power plants and traffic congestion, which makes it pretty difficult to breathe if you live here.
5. Cleveland, OH
Also considered among the most polluted cities in the United States; Cleveland has a serious problem with air pollution. It’s not just the industrial factories, trucks, and cars that make this city so bad. The Ohio valley is an area where coal mining is still prevalent, and there are many coal-fired power plants in the area as well. Cleveland is also home to over ten oil refineries, as well as two coal-fired power plants and a large steel mill that all produce toxic waste that pollutes local waterways and air quality. In addition, Cleveland, OH has a high poverty rate of 29.2%, and many residents do not have access to medical care or healthy food options that can help them manage their breathing problems.
All in all, it is apparent that pollution can have a drastic impact on residents where they live. We hope this article helped shed some light on which cities you should avoid if you struggle with breathing problems.