What is the most polluted city in North Carolina?

According to the American Lung Association's 2021 "State of the Air" report, the most polluted city in North Carolina is Asheville. Asheville has the highest annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the state, at 11.3 micrograms per cubic meter. This is above the national standard of 12 micrograms per cubic meter.