Population: 70,741.
West Des Moines was among the top 15 cities with the most PM2.5 levels in 2023. However, according to the Lung Association, it ranked extremely low for levels of ozone pollution.
Exposure to ozone pollution, also known as "smog," can cause breathing difficulty and aggregate health conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
PM2.5, meanwhile, can get deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream. It is known to cause premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, and other lung and heart problems, the agency said.
At the time of writing, PM2.5 levels in West Des Moines meet WHO annual air quality guidelines.