In an annual State of the Air report released by the American Lung Association, Duluth appeared on the list of cleanest air cities in the United States.

This study looks at ozone and particle pollution levels in cities around the country. While overall levels around the country aren't too great, some places are certainly better than others.

Ozone air pollution: Higher than normal concentrations of ozone at ground level, which can be harmful to health Particle air pollution: Concentrations of particulate matter (natural, or manmade) at higher than normal levels, which may be harmful to health

Major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas, Houston, and Chicago, top the lists of both ozone and particle pollution risks, while Duluth makes an appearance on the other end of the spectrum. Appearing at number 8 on the year-round cleanest cities for particle pollution, Duluth is one of a handful of Midwestern locations in the top 25.

Top 25 Cleanest US Cities for Year-Round Particle Pollution

Prescott, AZ (Tie) Cheyenne, WY (Tie) Farmington, NM Casper, WY St. George, UT Flagstaff, AZ Redding-Red Bluff, CA Duluth, MN-WI *** Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI Rapid City-Spearfish, SD Salinas, CA Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV (Tie) Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM (Tie) Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Anchorage, AK Pocatello, ID Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Bismarck, ND Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL (Tie) Elmira-Corning, NY (Tie) North Port-Sarasota, FL Burlington-South Burlington, VT (Tie) Bangor, ME (Tie) Grand Island, NE (Tie) Homosassa Springs, FL (Tie) Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA

[Source: 2014 State of the Air Report]