Albuquerque Air Quality 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.
Air quality in Albuquerque, NM, reached an AQI of 148 for PM10 on February 23, 2026, placing the area in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.
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
As of February 23, 2026, the air quality in the Albuquerque, NM reporting area has reached levels categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The primary pollutant of concern is PM10, which recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 148. Additionally, PM2.5 levels were measured at an AQI of 59, which falls into the Moderate category.
What This Means
An AQI level of 148 for PM10 indicates that air quality is unhealthy for members of sensitive groups. While the general public is less likely to be affected at this level, individuals with specific health conditions may experience respiratory symptoms or other health effects due to particle pollution.
Who Should Take Precautions
The following groups are at a higher risk and should take precautions:
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older adults
- Children and teenagers
What You Should Do
Members of sensitive groups should consider the following actions to reduce exposure:
- Reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
- Take more breaks during outdoor activities.
- Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
- Plan outdoor activities for times when air quality is better or move activities indoors.
Source
This information is provided by the EPA AirNow service.
Original source: EPA Official Notice ↗
Related Air Quality
All Air Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this EPA air-quality advisory.