Chicago Air Quality Reaches Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Level (AQI 110)
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 14, 2026, air quality in Chicago, IL reached an AQI of 110 for PM2.5, 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 Chicago, IL. 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, Chicago.
Current Air Quality
In Chicago, IL, the air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 110 on February 14, 2026. The primary pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has reached the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category.
What This Means
An AQI level between 101 and 150 is classified by the EPA 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 by the current air conditions.
Who Should Take Precautions
Groups at higher risk include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teenagers. These individuals are more sensitive to the effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and should monitor their activity levels.
What You Should Do
People in 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 generally not affected at this AQI level and can continue normal outdoor activities.
Source
Data provided by EPA AirNow.
Original source: EPA Official Notice ↗
Related Air Quality
All Air Quality →Nationwide notices with similar length or severity timing 8
Two Areazine-derived peer sets for this EPA air-quality advisory: nearest notices by body length and by same severity near the same agency date. Peers come from other categories so they are not the same-feed Related list above.
Similar body length
Nearest notices by article body length (1,180 characters here).
Similar severity timing
Same severity (low) notices issued closest in time to April 6, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this EPA air-quality advisory.