KNOXVILLE IS AN Asthma Capital, and it’s also one of the most allergic cities in the U.S. Some of that is natural (we have lots of biodiversity, which —‘doh! — means more different kinds of pollen) but a lot of it isn’t. TVA coal-fired electrical generating plants are the biggest villain, I think. Interestingly, though, I’ve noticed that the air actually looks a lot clearer. Often, driving to Maryville, I can make out the observation tower on Look Rock from 20 miles away, which certainly didn’t used to happen. I guess the air can get clearer and dirtier at the same time (with ozone, for example) but it certainly seems as if that’s what’s happening. I wish TVA would replace those nasty, dirty coal plants with nice, clean nukes.