Using 2021 data, U.S. News and World Reports’ feature on the “Best States” has ranked U.S. states on several metrics, including economics, education and health care. The listing also measures natural environment, which is based on a state’s air/water quality and pollution levels. Pollution was determined based on air and water emissions from industry and utilities, and overall measures to long-term human health effects, using information from the Environmental Protection Agency. States with the worst pollution 50. Louisiana 49. Nevada 48. Indiana 47. Delaware 46. Utah 45. Ohio 44. Oregon 43. Tennessee 42. Illinois 41. Alabama 40. Texas