A recent survey by LawnStarter has deemed Houston the "dirtiest" city in the United States, dethroning last year's incumbent, Newark, New Jersey. The study examined various factors, including pollution, living conditions, infrastructure, and customer satisfaction, to determine the rankings.
Houston, Texas, has unfortunately earned the dubious distinction of being named the "dirtiest" city in the United States, according to a recent survey conducted by LawnStarter. This unsavory title comes after a thorough comparison of 152 U.S. cities across categories such as pollution, living conditions, infrastructure, and customer satisfaction.
Houston's abysmal ranking stems from its exceedingly high levels of pollution, as it occupies the unenviable position of being the third most polluted city among those surveyed. The study cites a separate investigation that reveals alarming violations of EPA safety guidelines by Houston's petrochemical facilities.
In addition to its air quality woes, Houston is also grappling with significant greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial facilities, ranking a dismal third-worst in this category. Furthermore, the city's cockroach infestation is a relentless problem, making it the undisputed leader in this particular pest category.
Despite repeated attempts, Fox News Digital was unable to elicit a response from a spokesperson for the Houston Solid Waste Management Department regarding the city's concerning waste management practices.
Last year's reigning "dirtiest" city, Newark, has fortunately witnessed an improvement, dropping to the second spot in the latest rankings. Rounding out the top 10 are San Bernardino, California; Detroit, Michigan; Jersey City, New Jersey; Bakersfield, California; San Antonio, Texas; Fresno, California; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Yonkers, New York. Notably, New York City, despite its reputation, managed to avoid landing within the top 10 dirtiest cities.
LawnStarter, the entity behind the survey, emphasizes the importance of recognizing that the consequences of living in filthy cities extend far beyond mere aesthetic concerns. The negative effects on health can be severe, with air pollution linked to a range of ailments, including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
The survey's ultimate objective is to raise awareness beyond garbage, pests, and inadequate waste management, highlighting the profound impact that living in unhygienic urban environments can have on both physical health and financial well-being.
"Dirty cities aren't just an eyesore — they also damage our bodies and our wallets," LawnStarter asserts.
Interestingly, New York City, which has endured its fair share of challenges, escaped inclusion in the top 10 dirtiest cities list. This finding may come as a surprise to some, given the city's density and history of sanitation issues.
LawnStarter, which provides lawn care services, astutely utilizes the survey findings to attract new business, suggesting that cleaner cities are likely to have a greater demand for their services. "Clean cities tend to have lots of tidy, healthy, green lawns," the company notes.
