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SD receives failing grade for air quality

California cities and counties once again dominate the list of places in the nation with the worst air pollution. The American Lung Association's annual State of The Air report released today gives f

California cities and counties once again dominate the list of places in the nation
with the worst air pollution. The American Lung Association's annual State of The Air report released today gives failing grades to San Diego and Imperial
Counties. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The report ranks cities and counties with the dirtiest air. It also provides report cards for counties on the two most common air pollutants - ozone or smog, and particle pollution or soot. San Diego/Imperial County Lung Association spokeswoman Jan Cortez more than half of California's counties were given failing grades.

Cortez: Both San Diego and Imperial County are not yet meeting the federal health standards for ozone so those communities are still having a number of days that exceed the standard and on those days people are breathing unhealthful air. So, until those standards are met, both San Diego and Imperial County will receive a failing grade.

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The report is based on Environmental Protection Agency figures from 2002 through 2004. Ed Joyce, KPBS News.

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