More than 140 million Americans live in areas that flunk air-quality tests for ozone pollution, according to a report by the American Lung Association. The number rose 9 million since the group issued a similar report last year, in part due to hot summer conditions that could become par-for-the-course because of global warming. The group ranked areas based on U.S. EPA data from 1997-1999. The 10 worst metro areas in order were: Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, and San Joaquin Valley, Calif., Houston, Texas; Atlanta, Ga.; Washington, D.C., Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Philadelphia, Penn. Looking for a breath of fresh of air? Try Spokane, Wash., Duluth, Minn., or Lincoln, Neb.
