See Why Experts Rank This Nevada City as the State’s Filthiest

Las Vegas is often revered for its bright lights, glamorous nightlife, and exciting casinos. But the darker side of all this extravagance is a high toll to pay in terms of pollution. Ranking as the most polluted city in the state of Nevada, Las Vegas is certainly not all glitter and glamor! Away from the strip, Las Vegas has a sprawling sea of parking lots and huge buildings. These all absorb heat and keep it close to the surface, necessitating air conditioning and even more energy use. There are countless reasons for the crazy pollution of Las Vegas, but the few main ones stand out far and away from any others.

The Two Main Contributors to Pollution in Las Vegas

The two biggest contributors to pollution in Las Vegas are interesting, as one of the two is less obvious than the other. The first and more obvious of the two is car emissions. Las Vegas is a spread out city that developed around the use of the car. Huge parking lots and wide streets are clear in any photo of the city, hinting at the car dependency. Another hint to how much cars are being used in the city is the lack of public transportation in the city. 

The public transportation in the city is ranked among the worst of metropolitan areas in the country. News network KSNV reported that public commuters have to spend more on their transit than car commuters. Additionally, public commuting takes much, much longer than the car alternative. Las Vegas has no underground or aboveground metro system, or a tramway, and only 31 bus lines. So overall, it’s no surprise that car emissions make up a large amount of the pollution issues in the city. 

The other main contributor is actually forest fires. Polluted and contaminated air will be blown into the city from forest fires far outside of the city. However well the city manages their own pollution, smoke from forest fires across state lines can still mess everything up. The American Lung Association has noted that Las Vegas was the 13th most polluted city in the country as far as ozone pollution.

How Do These Pollutants Affect the Population of Las Vegas?

Respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic bronchitis are on the rise among citizens in Las Vegas. Citizens inhale elevated levels of particulate matter and ozone, emanating largely from vehicular exhaust and industrial sources. The toxic air, laden with pollutants from car emissions and smoke from forest fires. These toxic pollutants also increase vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases, posing severe health risks.

And what’s more, the prevalence of smog intensifies with high temperatures, which Las Vegas has in spades. It exacerbates respiratory stress, so for those with pre-existing conditions living in a heavily polluted city is tough. In completion, Las Vegas’ super heavy pollution not only literally dims its famed skyline but also casts a shadow over the well-being of its inhabitants. Urgent measures in Las Vegas are definitely necessary for a cleaner, healthier environment. The path towards a cleaner Las Vegas likely starts with changing the huge dependency on cars, as it seems to be the most clear fix.

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