Tan skin, blonde hair, and black lungs: your new mental picture of the typical Los Angeles resident.
Based on the American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2014" report, which examined ozone and particle pollution data from 2010, 2011, and 2012, the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area is home to the most polluted ozone air in the entire country. That's right, Angelenos — despite the juice cleanses and hot yoga, your health mission is being thwarted by the very air you breathe while riding in your top-down convertible in December.
Los Angeles' infamous smog line. (David Butow/Redux/CORBIS)
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And it's not just Los Angeles' infamous smog line that is bringing down California's air quality — the top five most polluted cities by ozone are located in the Golden State, with a sixth placing in the top 10.
As for the cleanest ozone air in the country? That belongs to Anchorage, Alaska, though the title changes depending on whether you're measuring by year-round particle pollution or short-term particle pollution.
Now, if you'll excuse me, my native Angeleno lungs and I are off to buy an air purifier.
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