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Okay, quick--what's the most toxic city in the US? Do your thoughts jump to LA, where the smog is so thick it clouds out the stars? Or to crowded New York, with its urban sprawl and polluted waterways? Here's a hint--it's neither. It's actually Atlanta--that's right, Georgia's biggest city is the most toxic town in the US.
So how do we know? Well, Forbes magazine rounded up the toxicity of America's 40 largest metropolitan areas, and compiled them into this surprising list. So then that leads us to the obvious development in our toxic city guessing game--what's the least toxic? This one, I have to say, you'll never guess. I wouldn't have. Pristine Portland, with its bike-commuting crowd and mountain air? Or San Francisco, with it's super-green mayor and mandatory recycling laws?
Nope. It's Las Vegas, Nevada.
And actually, Portland is one of the 10 most toxic cities, while New York is one of the 10 least. The cities were judged by air quality, access to clean water and rate number of toxic superfund sites.
Here's a breakdown of the full list, compiled by Business Week:
America's Most Toxic Cities
1. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
2. Detroit-Warren-Livonia
3. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet
4. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown
5. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington
6. Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor
7. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana
8. Jacksonville
9. Baltimore-Towson
10. Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton
The Least Toxic Cities
1. Las Vegas-Paradise
2. Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville
3. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
4. Austin-Round Rock
5. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
6. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos
7. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News
8. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
9. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island
10. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale
More on Toxic Cities
How Toxic is Your City?
Evolution Of The Green City States
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