SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Two cities in South Dakota are among the best in the nation when it comes to clean air, the American Lung Association said in a report released Wednesday.
The association cited Rapid City and Sioux Falls as among the cleanest cities for ozone pollution. The group said the Rapid City area was ranked as the 10th cleanest metro area in the country for year-round particle pollution.
Ozone is a leading component of smog and comes from vehicle exhaust and solvents. Fine particle pollution comes from burning things such as coal and wood and can cause haze.
The report covers a three-year period form 2010-2012, and the state’s overall air quality improved over that time, the group said.
Brookings, Custer, Jackson, Meade, Minnehaha and Union counties all retained the “A’’ grades in ozone pollution that they earned in last year’s report.
Brookings and Codington counties scores for particle pollution improved from “B’’ to “A’’ grades this year; Union County went from a “C’’ for particle pollution to a “B’’ grade.
The most improved was Custer County, which scored a “B’’ grade, up from a “D’’ last year, the group said.
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