Air Quality Alert: Phoenix, AZ Reaches Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Level
Areazine synthesizes this EPA air-quality advisory directly from EPA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
On February 16, 2026, air quality in Phoenix, AZ reached an AQI of 113, categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups due to PM10 levels.
What this EPA air-quality advisory tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by EPA on April 6, 2026 and geographically references Phoenix, AZ. Its severity classification of "low" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Air Quality - determines the informational context it sits in, and which agency or body is the authoritative source for updates.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are air-quality, epa, aqi, Phoenix.
Current Air Quality
In Phoenix, AZ, air quality observations for February 16, 2026, indicate that the primary pollutant of concern is PM10, which reached an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 113, placing it in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. Other measured pollutants include PM2.5 with an AQI of 71 (Moderate) and Ozone (O3) with an AQI of 43 (Good).
What This Means
An AQI value between 101 and 150 is classified as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. At this level, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects, though the general public is less likely to be affected.
Who Should Take Precautions
Groups at increased risk from PM10 exposure include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teenagers. These individuals are more likely to be affected by particle pollution at this concentration.
What You Should Do
Sensitive groups should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. It is advisable to take more breaks, engage in less intense activities, and monitor for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. The general public does not need to take special precautions at this level.
Source
Data provided by EPA AirNow.
Original source: EPA Official Notice ↗
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All Air Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this EPA air-quality advisory.