THE MOST POLLUTED CITY IN THE NATION?

The American Lung Association came out with their rankings of the top ten most polluted cities in the nation. For those of us in LA, it wasn't exactly a surprise to receive a shout out on this list, but I think what may have been depressingly surprising to me was that out of 10 cities, California not only made up half of these cities, it made the TOP five cities.

Ranked from 1-5: 

• Bakersfield 
• Hanford 
• Los Angeles 
• Visalia 
• Fresno 

Anyway, is that not totally weird? I just made the drive up from LA to SF last weekend for a wedding, and was busy snapping photos of the beautiful scenery from my car window.  It makes intuitive sense that LA is polluted, because you can't actually see the mountains behind the humongous cloud of smog and you can physically see cars and cars piled up for miles on end.  But as you get out towards central California, the first thing that comes to mind are the gorgeous mountains and farms and the crystal clear skies-pollution is not the first thing that comes to mind. The last two pictures taken near Modesto, which ranks #5 in short term particle pollution even has rolling hills with windmills!  Somehow windmills always seem synonymous with green energy and sustainable design.

In any case, it's definitely food for thought. In the various lists the American Lung Association has produced over the years, Southern and Central California has always been one of the worst polluted places across the board.  And it does raise concern-pollution actually causes 10% of our deaths here in LA.  Maybe this will finally convince Taylor to move us to New York! I'm half kidding because despite the depressing statistics, I really do love it in LA, but maybe this means that I will at the very least think twice about inwardly scoffing at the token lady with the SARS mask at I always see  at Ranch 99!