Think you live in a pretty green town? While smog levels, health food stores, and the number of treehuggers might seem like legit indicators of toxicity levels, have you ever broken it down and analyzed its Air quality, Water quality, TRI (the EPAs Toxic Release Inventory- tracking chemicals released in manufacturing), and Superfund sites (abandoned areas that have become overrun by hazardous waste)? No? Not to worry, Forbes Magazine did the dirty work for you and just released their annual Top 10 Most Toxic Cities list.
Here are the cities that sadly made the list and why:
10. Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.
MSA: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 16
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 1.3 million
EWG top water concerns: Total haloacetic acids; nitrates; perchlorate
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 15
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported: 130.4 million
EWG top water concern: Total haloacetic acids
8. St. Louis, Mo.
MSA: St. Louis, Mo./Ill.
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 1
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported: 22.3 million
EWG top water concern: Total haloacetic acids
7. Houston, Texas
MSA: Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 1
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 54.8 million
EWG top water concern: Alpha particle activity
6. Los Angeles, Calif.
MSA: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Calif.
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 14
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 3.8 million
EWG top water concerns: Arsenic; total trihalomethanes; nitrate; total haloacetic acids
5. Baton Rouge, La.
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): None
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 33.6 million
EWG top water concern: N/A
4. New York, N.Y.
MSA: New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y./N.J./Pa.
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 5
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 4.1 million
EWG top water concerns: Total haloacetic acids; dieldrin; total trihalomethanes
3. Fresno, Calif.
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 26
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 338,000
EWG top water concern: Nitrates
2. Bakersfield, Calif.
Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 43
Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 2.2 million
EWG top water concern: N/A
1. Philadelphia, Pa.
The sprawling Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington MSA, including parts of four states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and one county in Maryland), is home to more than 50 Superfund sites, which is what pushed it to the number one toxic spot in the country
TOP 10 FITTEST Cities in the US
Because its simply unfair to leave you in such a bummer mood (that is if your city made the cut), heres Forbes list of Top 10 Fittest Cities in the US. Now this is the list that you DO want your city to be on:
10. Austin, Texas
Score: 63.9
Obesity Rate: 22.5%
Exercise Rate: 78.4%
Why? Austin has a more parks and pools per capita, plus the lowest rates of asthma and heart disease.
9. Hartford, Conn.
Score: 64.4
Obesity Rate: 21.1%
Exercise Rate: 77.2%
Why? Hartford has a disproportionate amount of farmers' markets, baseball diamonds and golf courses, plus the locals tend to eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
8. San Francisco, Calif.
Score: 64.7
Obesity Rate: 18.4%
Exercise Rate: 81.5%
Why? Seems that low poverty rate factors in when it comes to lower rates of diabetes, smoking and obesity.
7. Sacramento, Calif.
Score: 65.8
Obesity Rate: 21.4%
Exercise Rate: 82.3%
Why? More people walk and bike to work in Sacramento, in addition to getting more exercise in general, than in other cities.
6. Denver, Colo.
Score: 69.9
Obesity Rate: 19.3%
Exercise Rate: 83%
Why? Known as the Mile High City, Denver has a lower incidence of disability and heart disease.
5. Portland, Ore.
Score: 70.4
Obesity Rate: 23.9%
Exercise Rate: 82.3%
Why? More than being dotted with dog parks, doctors' offices and "no smoking" signs, Portland follows through and has seriously high health stats.
4. Seattle, Wash.
Score: 70.5
Obesity Rate: 22.8%
Exercise Rate: 81.9%
Why? Are people who move to Seattle healthier, or are people born in Seattle healthier? Thats apparently the questions
Considering the high quality of their physical education classes for kids, plus their ample number of available public tennis courts for adults, seems it might be a combination of the two.
3. Minneapolis, Minn.
Score: 71.7
Obesity Rate: 23.9%
Exercise Rate: 84.3%
Why? While the residents do rank slightly higher in terms of obesity rates, this big city sets the standard high when it comes to its penchant for exercise.
2. Boston, Mass.
Score: 72.6
Obesity Rate: 19.9%
Exercise Rate: 78.6%
Why? Health is a high priority for Bostonites who seem to stay clear of cigarette smoking, stay slim, and live a fit lifestyle. It also happens to be a state law that all resident have health insurance.
1. Washington, D.C.
Score: 73.5
Obesity Rate: 22.6%
Exercise Rate: 80.1%
Why? Ranked America's fittest city, Washington D.C seems to be all about fitness and healthy food. From making their daily commute by bike, to frequently the numerous farmers' markets and sweating in local recreation centers, its clear that this political city has its priorities straight.