Top 10 smoggiest cities in U.S.
Read on to learn which 10 cities ranked the worst for ozone, or "smog," pollution.
10. El Centro, Calif.
Ozone is a gas molecule that develops in the atmosphere when sunlight reactions with emissions from tailpipes and smokestacks.
9. Washington D.C. - Baltimore - Northern Virgina
According to the report, more than 40 percent of the population -- or 131 million people -- live in counties that have unhealthy levels of pollution.
8. Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas
Breathing in high levels of ozone can carry significant health risks for high-risk groups including infants and young children, teens, the elderly, people with lung diseases like COPD and asthma, people with heart disease, diabetics and those who work or exercise outside.
7. Houston - Baytown - Huntsville, Texas
Breathing in smog causes adverse chemical reactions that can damage lung tissue, according to the American Lung Association.
6. Sacramento - Arden Arcade - Yuba City, Calif./Nev.
Short-term risks from smog exposure include shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, asthma attacks, increased risk for respiratory infections, hospitalization for those with existing lung issues, and risk for irregular heart rhythms that could one day lead to stroke or premature death.
5. Hanford - Corcoran, Calif.
The American Lung Association urges people to skip exercising on high pollution days and never exercise near a busy freeway.
4. Fresno - Madera, Calif.
And while overall air quality has improved in the United States in recent years, according to the report, many cities that ranked among the most polluted had even more days of high smog levels in 2013 compared to the previous year.
3. Bakersfield - Delano, Calif.
The American Lung Association recommends that people ask the Environmental Protection Agency to mandate cleaner gasoline and stricter emission standards.
2. Visalia - Porterville, Calif.
Individuals can also contribute to improving the air quality of their cities by driving less and opting for carpools, walking, biking or taking mass transit.
1. Los Angeles - Long Beach - Riverside, Calif.
To see the full State of the Air report and see how your city compares to elsewhere in the country, visit the American Lung Association.