Phoenix Air Quality Reaches Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Level Due to PM10
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 March 13, 2026, air quality in Phoenix, AZ reached an AQI of 133, categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, with PM10 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 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, the air quality index (AQI) reached a peak of 133 on March 13, 2026. This reading falls into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category. The primary pollutant of concern is PM10, which recorded an AQI of 133. Other measurements included PM2.5 at 69 (Moderate) and Ozone (O3) at 39 (Good).
What This Means
An AQI level of 133 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) means that members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. While the general public is less likely to be affected, the air quality is considered potentially harmful for specific vulnerable populations.
Who Should Take Precautions
Groups at risk include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teenagers. These individuals are more likely to be affected by particle pollution, specifically PM10, which is the primary concern for the reporting area.
What You Should Do
Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. 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 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 (1,241 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.