Colorado ranks near the top among US states with poor air quality [Video]

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado is beginning to see consistently warm temperatures as the summer months draw near, and that raises concerns about air quality.

Colorado’s mix of increased traffic, industry and wildland fires, and its location against mountains that can trap pollution and heat, creates a heightened risk for air quality problems.

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The American Lung Association ranks the Denver metro area sixth in the nation for poor air quality. Fort Collins ranked 15th and Colorado Springs 20th.

A SmartSurvey.com study ranks Denver ninth in the nation for poor air quality, just below Detroit. It finds the worst air quality in the nation in the San Bernadino, California, area.

How VOCs contribute to ozone pollution

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration scientist Dr. Matthew Coggon told FOX31 that volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short, contribute to poor air quality.

“You have VOCs that can come from agriculture, from oil and gas, can come from …