Air Quality Alert: Albuquerque Residents Face Unhealthy PM10 Levels

Current Air Quality

As of February 18, 2026, the air quality in the Albuquerque, NM reporting area has reached a level categorized as “Unhealthy.” The primary pollutant of concern is PM10, which recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 184. Other pollutants measured in the area include PM2.5 with an AQI of 56 (Moderate) and Ozone (O3) with an AQI of 46 (Good).

What This Means

An AQI of 184 falls within the “Unhealthy” range. According to standard EPA categories, this level indicates that the air is unhealthy for the general public. At this stage, everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Who Should Take Precautions

While the entire population in the Albuquerque area may be affected by these conditions, certain groups are at higher risk. This includes children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease, who are more likely to be affected by high levels of particle pollution.

What You Should Do

To minimize health risks, the following guidance is recommended:

• General Public: Reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Consider moving activities indoors or rescheduling them.
• Sensitive Groups: Avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Move activities indoors or reschedule to a time when air quality has improved.

Source

Data provided by EPA AirNow.