Cincinnati Air Quality Alert: PM2.5 Levels Reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
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 Cincinnati, OH reached an AQI of 120 for PM2.5, categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
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 Cincinnati, OH. 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 publishes updates on it.
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.
Before acting, the primary agency source is available to check alongside this summary. Its related labels are air-quality, epa, aqi, Cincinnati.
Current Air Quality
On February 14, 2026, the reporting area of Cincinnati, OH, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 120. The primary pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has reached the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category. Other pollutants measured in the area include Ozone (O3) with an AQI of 21 (Good) and PM10 with an AQI of 19 (Good).
What This Means
An AQI of 120 indicates that air quality is unhealthy for members of sensitive groups. At this level, the general public is less likely to be affected, but individuals with specific health conditions may experience health effects from breathing fine particles.
Who Should Take Precautions
Groups at increased risk include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teenagers. These individuals are more sensitive to the effects of PM2.5 and should take steps to reduce their exposure.
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 can continue their outdoor activities as usual.
Source
Data provided by EPA AirNow.
Original source: EPA Official Notice ↗
Related Air Quality
All Air Quality →Comparable nationwide notices (length or severity timing) 8
Beyond this EPA air-quality advisory's own category, Areazine surfaces two nationwide peer sets: length-matched and severity/date-matched notices from elsewhere in the archive, distinct from the same-feed Related list above.
Similar body length
Nearest notices by article body length (1,271 characters here).
Similar severity timing
Same severity (low) notices issued closest in time to April 6, 2026.
Questions & Answers
Common questions about this EPA air-quality advisory.