report says Phoenix has some of the worst air quality in the nation [Video]

PHOENIX (AZFamily) —A recent report from the American Lung Association shows Arizona has some of the worst air quality in the nation.

Four counties, Gila, Maricopa, Pima and Pinal, were given an “F” for having some of the highest numbers of ozone days.

Maricopa and Pinal counties were also given a failing grade for having high partial particle pollution.

“It’s definitely not shocking to me that it received an F, or a bad score,” said Allergist Dr. Sanjay “Jay” Patel. “We are in a valley, a big city with lots of highways, and it’s hot. That’s the perfect recipe for smog, and that report looks at small particles, which is smog.”

The report ranked the Phoenix metro area the fifth worst metro area for ozone pollution; the only four cities listed as worse than the Valley are all in California.

Patel said the big takeaway from this is knowing how this could impact those who have lung issues like asthma …