These states have the cleanest air in America, according to a new nationwide study

Researchers compared pollution, asthma rates, and respiratory health to identify the best states for breathing easier this summer.

Summer is the season to spend as much time outdoors as possible, but when it comes to air quality, some states are more ideal for getting a boost of vitamin D than others.

With the best air quality in the United States, the state of Hawaii boasted a total air quality and respiratory health score of 91.81 out of 100, according to a study from Compare the Market Australia, an online tool for comparing health insurance plans. The state also had the lowest PM2.5 pollution level in the country (or tiny inhalable particles) along with the fewest respiratory disease-related deaths per 100,000 residents of just 15.2.

“Clean air plays a vital role in protecting our health, as long-term exposure can be linked to respiratory diseases, causing illnesses and impacting overall health,” Steven Spicer, the executive general manager of health at Compare the Market, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure, adding, “Having reliable private health insurance could be valuable, as it may help support access to medical care, early treatment, and ongoing management of any related conditions.”

In second place on the list was South Dakota, which had a total air quality and respiratory health score of 81.07 out of 100. The state’s low asthma prevalence of just 8.3 percent helped propel it toward the top despite the high rate of respiratory deaths of 36.1 per 100,000 people.

Nebraska took third place, boasting one of the lowest rates of asthma in the U.S. with 8.1 percent and a total air quality score of 77.04 out of 100. That was followed by New York in fourth place with an overall air quality score of 75.5.

After Hawaii, the state of New Jersey had the next-lowest number of deaths caused by respiratory issues of top-ranked states with 20 per 100,000 people. New Jersey took the fifth spot overall on the list with a total air quality score of 72.78 out of 100.

To compile the rankings, Compare the Market consulted data from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Population Review. The company then examined four factors: PM2.5 concentrations, industrial toxin concentration levels, the prevalence of asthma, and respiratory disease mortality.

Here are the top 10 states with the cleanest air, according to the study:

1. Hawaii
2. South Dakota
3. Nebraska
4. New York
5. New Jersey
6. Maryland
7. Minnesota
8. Florida
9. Texas
10. Virginia

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