Albuquerque Air Quality Alert: PM10 Levels Reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Category
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 17, 2026, air quality in Albuquerque, NM reached an AQI of 109, categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, with PM10 identified as the primary pollutant.
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 Albuquerque, NM. 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, Albuquerque.
Current Air Quality
On February 17, 2026, the air quality in the Albuquerque, NM reporting area reached a maximum Air Quality Index (AQI) of 109. This reading is classified under the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. The primary pollutant of concern is PM10, which reached an AQI of 109. Other pollutants monitored in the area include Ozone (O3), which recorded an AQI of 45 (Good), and PM2.5, which recorded an AQI of 43 (Good).
What This Means
According to standard EPA categories, an AQI between 101 and 150 is considered "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
The following groups are at a higher risk from exposure to PM10 at this level:
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older adults
- Children and teenagers
What You Should Do
Members of sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. It is recommended to take more breaks and engage in less intense outdoor activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. The general public is not likely to be affected and can continue normal outdoor activities.
Source
Data provided by EPA AirNow.
Original source: EPA Official Notice ↗
Related Air Quality
All Air Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this EPA air-quality advisory.