For years the air quality in Kern County has been considered among the worst in the United States. A new study released Wednesday shows things aren't getting better.

The American Lung Association released its 20th annual "State of the Air" report Wednesday morning and Kern County received failing grades across the board.

According to the report, Kern County "remained the #1 most polluted city for short-term particle levels, as it has for eight of the past 10 reports."

Kern County was No. 2 for most polluted by year-round particle pollution and was the No. 3 most ozone polluted city.

The report also found, "that an increasing number of Americans—more than 4 in 10—lived with unhealthy air quality, placing their health and lives at risk. The 20th annual air quality "report card" found that 141.1 million people lived in counties with unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution, an increase of more than 7.2 million Americans since the last annual report."