Believe it or not, Fairbanks Alaska also has some of the dirtiest air in the country - during the winter.
We get fined a few times a year for exceeding some federal limit on pollutants.
The extreme cold traps all of the particulates from wood/coal burning and the many diesel engines right next to the ground, where poor souls can breathe it in.
I live about 1400' above the valley floor, and air quality is noticeably better than it is right in town.

It's a shame that the simple acts of living and getting to work have made breathing such a chore for so many.
Last year my Doc put the wife and I on Singulair, but then last night I saw a show that said that Singulair can make you suicidal. I guess that we can't win anywhere.