Albuquerque's Air: Why So Polluted?

Albuquerque's air quality has been a growing concern for its residents, with a new State of the Air report in 2022 indicating a decline in air quality. The air quality is generally acceptable, but there are concerns about the impact on sensitive groups, with even short-term exposure potentially causing health issues. The air quality is impacted by mobile sources such as motor vehicles and planes, stationary sources like the large coal-fired power plant, and area sources including agricultural areas and wood-burning fireplaces. The primary pollutants of concern are ozone, PM2.5, PM10, and carbon monoxide.

Mobile sources, including cars, trucks, trains, and planes, are the largest single contributor to Albuquerque's air pollution

Albuquerque's air pollution is caused by a combination of mobile sources, stationary sources, and area sources. Mobile sources, including cars, trucks, trains, and planes, are the largest single contributor to the city's air pollution. Motor vehicles, in particular, have been the major source of carbon monoxide (CO) pollution in the city.

To address this issue, the city has implemented various control measures, such as vehicle emissions testing, oxygenated fuels programs, and the federal Motor Vehicle Control Program, which sets stricter emissions standards for new cars. Efforts have also been made to encourage the use of alternative transportation, such as walking, bicycling, carpooling, and transit ridership, to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

In addition to motor vehicles, planes also contribute significantly to Albuquerque's air pollution. The city's dry climate further exacerbates the problem, as dusty roads and windblown dust from agriculture and construction activities contribute to high levels of particulate matter in the air. Wildfires in the region, as well as the use of wood-burning stoves during the winter, further contribute to particle pollution, with smoke leading to increased carbon monoxide, PM2.5, and PM10 pollution.

To improve Albuquerque's air quality, it is crucial to focus on reducing emissions from mobile sources and encouraging the adoption of lower-emission, higher-fuel-efficiency vehicles. Mayor Tim Keller has pledged to convert 63% of the city's light-duty car fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles by 2025, setting an example with government-operated vehicles and establishing a city-wide electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Stationary sources, such as power plants, oil refineries, and factories, also contribute

Power plants, oil refineries, and factories are all examples of stationary sources that contribute to Albuquerque's poor air quality. These industrial facilities emit various pollutants into the atmosphere, which can have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health.

Power plants, particularly those that burn fossil fuels, release significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. In 2022, the electric power sector was responsible for about 31% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions. Additionally, power plants that burn solid fuels, such as coal, produce ash, which contains hazardous materials captured by pollution control devices. To comply with air pollution emission standards, power plants may employ strategies such as burning low-sulfur-content coal or co-firing wood chips with coal to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions. SO2 is a harmful pollutant that causes acid rain, aggravates respiratory illnesses, and worsens heart diseases, particularly in children and the elderly.

Oil refineries, on the other hand, contribute to air pollution by releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter during the refining process. NOx emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which irritates and damages the lungs. Particulate matter, classified as coarse (PM10) or fine (PM2.5), can lead to hazy conditions in cities and scenic areas. When coupled with ozone, particulate matter contributes to respiratory issues such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, especially in vulnerable populations.

Factories, as stationary sources of pollution, emit a range of pollutants depending on their industrial processes. These emissions may include particulate matter, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals. Heavy metals, such as mercury, are extremely harmful to both human and animal health. Additionally, factories that burn solid fuels may also release ash and other by-products of combustion into the atmosphere, further contributing to air pollution.

The cumulative impact of these stationary sources of pollution contributes to the overall poor air quality in Albuquerque. It is important to recognize that these sources are constant and consistently emit pollutants, contributing to the high levels of air pollutants in the city, including smoke, blowing dust, and ozone, as indicated by Albuquerque's Daily Air Quality Update.

Wildfires in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, have contributed to some of the most significant pollution events in recent years

While Albuquerque's air quality has been rated :"good" on the Air Quality Index (AQI) since 2000, the city still experiences short-term pollution spikes that pose health risks to residents. Mobile sources, including emissions from cars, trucks, trains, and planes, are the largest single contributor to Albuquerque's air pollution, particularly ozone. However, wildfires in nearby Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, have also contributed to some of the most significant pollution events in recent years.

Wildfires in Arizona have had severe impacts on air quality in Tucson, with smoke from the fires causing the worst air pollution in nine years. In August 2020, on six days between the 19th and Thursday of that week, county air monitors showed levels of invisible but toxic ozone that exceeded federal EPA standards. The high ozone levels were attributed to smoke from wildfires burning in the Rincon Mountains and as far away as California and Colorado.

The Bighorn Fire in the Catalina Mountains, which started on June 5, 2020, and spread to nearly 120,000 acres, also contributed to excessive ozone levels in Tucson, exceeding EPA limits. Wildfires burning in the Sonoita area and near Sierra Vista in June 2011 were also responsible for Tucson's worst air pollution that year.

The smoke from these wildfires in Arizona not only affects Tucson but can also travel great distances, impacting cities like Albuquerque. Pollutants generated from wildfires, even those several hundred miles away, can be transported by wind across cities and states, leading to increased carbon monoxide, PM2.5, and PM10 pollution in Albuquerque, along with other air toxins.

To mitigate the impact of wildfires on air quality in the region, authorities often rely on changes in weather patterns, such as increased winds, cloud cover, and cooler temperatures, to blow out wildfire smoke and bring air quality back to healthier levels.

Wood-burning activities, including fireplaces and biomass burning, increase carbon monoxide and PM2.5 pollution

Wood-burning activities, including fireplaces and biomass burning, are a significant contributor to Albuquerque's air pollution. These activities increase carbon monoxide and PM2.5 pollution, posing risks to human health and the environment.

Firstly, wood-burning releases carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that can have severe health impacts. Carbon monoxide rapidly enters the bloodstream and can affect various organs, including the brain, heart, and muscles. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal, and even lower levels can cause adverse health effects, especially during pregnancy and for children.

Secondly, wood-burning is a major source of PM2.5 emissions, which are among the smallest and most harmful air pollution particles. PM2.5 particles can infiltrate the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and impact vital organs such as the heart and brain. Exposure to these particles has been linked to lung disease, heart disease, dementia, and strokes. The intake fraction, or the proportion of released material that is inhaled, is high for wood smoke as it is emitted directly into residential areas.

In Albuquerque, wood-burning stoves are commonly used during the winter months, contributing to spikes in PM2.5 pollution. Wildfires in the region, as well as in neighbouring states, also increase PM2.5 levels. While mobile sources like vehicle emissions are the largest single contributor to Albuquerque's air pollution, area sources like wood-burning activities play a significant role in degrading air quality.

The impact of wood-burning on air pollution is not unique to Albuquerque. In the European Union, wood-burning accounts for 51% of total PM2.5 emissions, with similar trends observed in individual countries like France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Residential wood-burning in smaller cities and rural areas can result in particularly high pollution levels due to the proximity of emissions to human populations.

To mitigate the effects of wood-burning on air pollution, it is recommended to limit or avoid wood-burning activities, especially in densely populated areas. Upgrading to newer, more efficient wood stoves and fireplaces can also help reduce emissions and improve air quality.

The city's dry climate results in poor soil stabilization, increasing dust particles in the air from agriculture and construction

Albuquerque's air pollution is attributed to a combination of mobile sources (such as motor vehicles and planes), stationary sources (power plants, oil refineries, and factories), and area sources (agricultural areas and wood-burning fireplaces). The largest single contributor to Albuquerque's air pollution is mobile sources, which are particularly responsible for the city's ozone challenges.

Ozone formation requires sunlight and heat to create a reaction between precursor pollutants. This explains why ozone pollution is more prominent in the summer and during the afternoon, when sunshine and heat are most abundant.

Albuquerque's dry climate increases dust particles in the air from agriculture and construction. Dust storms, which are caused by strong winds lifting dust particles from dry, loose soil or sediment surfaces into the atmosphere, are more likely to occur in arid or semi-arid regions. Factors such as drought, desertification, and human activities like agriculture or construction can exacerbate dust storms. Dust storms can significantly degrade air quality by releasing large quantities of particulate matter into the atmosphere, including PM2.5 particles, which are known to have adverse health effects.

In addition to dust storms, Albuquerque's air quality is also impacted by wildfires, which contribute to increased carbon monoxide, PM2.5, and PM10 pollution, along with numerous other air toxins. While the city has consistently met federal attainment levels for PM2.5 since 2000, concentrations have been on the rise since 2010, likely due to a growing population, economy, and increased industrial activity.

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