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Report: SoCal Tops List For Worst Air Pollution In U.S.

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Southern California is back at the top of the list for having the worst air pollution in the country.

The American Lung Association's 2014 State of the Air report says the LA-Long Beach-Riverside area has the worst ozone pollution problem in the nation.

"Coupled with the large population, significant challenges due to weather and geography make improving air quality more quickly difficult in the region. Sunny weather and other conditions in the basin allow smog to form more easily," officials said.

Nationally, the report found that the nation's air quality worsened between 2010 and 2012, but it "remains overall much cleaner than just a decade ago."

The report recommends more zero-emission vehicles and fuels, as well as more public transportation.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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