Where not to live: These are the most air polluted places in the country

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The United States has come a long way with environmental protections, but there are still concerns that need to be addressed. Air pollution has been hanging over our heads since the industrial revolution hit America in the 1800s. The BBC reports that more than 5.5 million people worldwide die prematurely each year due to air pollution, so this really is nothing to take lightly.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80% of people living in urban areas are exposed to levels that exceed WHO limits. Data has shown that 98% of cities, with more than 100,000 residents ranked as low and middle income, do not meet air quality guidelines. Although cities with high income residents are less affected, 56% are still under threat of pollution to their health.

These harmful air particles come from such things as coal-fired power plants, diesel emission, or wildfires. The particles are small enough to get stuck in our lungs. This can cause asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and even death.

The American Lung Association believes that over 50% of US counties suffer from an unhealthy amount of particle pollution. That's a whopping 166 million Americans at risk of cancer, cardiovascular damage, and other nasty side effects. It is believed that increased heat, drought, wildfires, and climate change increase the number of days per year that harmful levels of particulate matter is in the air.

Here is the American Lung Association's 2016 State of the Air list showing the top 10 U.S. cities subjected to the worst year-round particle pollution. You may want to consider living elsewhere if you take your health seriously.

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