These Are the Dirtiest States in America, Ranked
#9: Illinois
Between 2016 and 2018, Illinois faced a 9.3 micrograms per cubic meter air pollution crisis. In 2019, each resident was tied to 52.4 tons of landfill waste. Chicago, dubbed the rat capital by Orkin, saw its rodent problem worsen during pandemic shutdowns.
Chicago’s summer of 2020 marked a historic peak in pollution, not seen in over ten years. This was due to a mix of high temperatures, sunlight, and emissions from vehicles, exacerbating the city’s struggle with air quality.
