Greta Jimenez
Tucson, Arizona, is known for its clean air quality, which is impressive given the city's large population and high tourist traffic. However, the city does face some pollution challenges, primarily from vehicular emissions, fossil fuel usage, and industrial waste. In April 2024, Tucson's air pollution exceeded federal ozone standards for the first time, raising concerns about potential health risks for vulnerable individuals. Historically, Tucson has also faced issues with water pollution, particularly in South Tucson, where the dumping of toxic chemicals in the 1950s led to soil and water contamination, with adverse health effects on the local population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Considerable |
| Movement of people | Large |
| Main pollutants | Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone (O3) |
| Sources of pollutants | Vehicles, factories, power plants, forest fires, construction sites, road repairs |
| Fossil fuel usage | High |
| Water pollution | Trichlorethylene (TCE) |
| Cancer rates | Increased due to water pollution |
| Ozone levels | Above federal standard |
| Air quality | Respectable, acceptable for most individuals |
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What You'll Learn
Tucson's air pollution violates federal ozone standards
Tucson, Arizona, is a city with a considerable population and a large movement of people in and out of the city. While the city maintains a respectable level of air quality, there are sources of pollution that drive up the PM2.5 count. The main types of pollutants found in the air in Tucson are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which are largely released from vehicles, alongside other pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
One of the main causes of air pollution in Tucson is the city's use of fossil fuels for energy, with natural gas being the primary source. Certain factories and power plants still use coal as a power source, which releases large amounts of chemical pollutants and particulate matter. The other most prominent cause of air pollution in Tucson is vehicular emissions. With a large population and a constant influx of tourists, there is a significant amount of pollution accumulating in certain areas due to heavy car overuse.
In addition to these sources of air pollution, Tucson has also faced issues with water pollution. Trichlorethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent, was routinely dumped in areas of South Tucson during the 1950s, resulting in serious soil and water pollution. The contamination led to health issues for residents, including various cancers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated a large southside area of Tucson for Superfund cleanup in 1983, and a $35 million plan was secured for the cleanup of contaminated areas.
In recent years, Tucson's air pollution has come under scrutiny for violating federal ozone standards. Preliminary data from 2018 showed that ozone levels at one of the county's air monitors, located at Saguaro National Park-East on Tucson's far east side, violated federal standards regulating the air pollutant. High ozone levels can cause major health problems, particularly for children, older adults, and people with existing respiratory issues. Continued non-compliance with federal rules could result in legal consequences and impact the region's ability to secure federal funding for transportation projects.
To address the air pollution issues, local planning agencies and organizations like the Pima Association of Governments are working to improve air quality. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has provided recommendations for vulnerable groups to limit prolonged outdoor exertion when ozone levels exceed the EPA standard. These efforts aim to reduce the health risks associated with air pollution and ensure a better quality of life for Tucson's residents and visitors.
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Vehicular emissions
Tucson, Arizona, is a city with a considerable population and a large movement of people in and out of the city. This, coupled with the fact that Tucson utilizes a large amount of fossil fuels for its energy supplies, affects the air quality of the city. In 2020, Tucson had a PM2.5 reading of 5.9 μg/m³ as its yearly average, a very good reading that placed it well within the World Health Organization's (WHO) target goal of 10 μg/m³ or less for the best quality of air. This placed Tucson among the top cities in the world for clean air.
However, despite Tucson's respectable level of air quality, there are still sources of pollution that drive the PM2.5 count up. One of the most prominent causes of pollution in Tucson is vehicular emissions. The large population of the city, coupled with a large number of tourists and daily commuters, results in a significant amount of pollution accumulating in certain areas due to the heavy overuse of cars. The main types of pollutants found in the air in Tucson are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which are largely released from vehicles. Other vehicular pollutants include carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The high level of vehicle usage in Tucson, particularly during the summer months, can lead to increased levels of ozone (O3) in the atmosphere. Ozone is formed when oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and other chemical pollutants or gases are exposed to significant amounts of solar radiation. This can result in a slight rise in PM2.5 levels during the summer, as ozone accumulates due to the combination of vehicle emissions and abundant sunshine.
While Tucson generally maintains clean air quality, there are times when pollution levels can be higher, particularly during certain months of the year. For example, from August through the end of the year, pollution levels tend to increase due to the higher demand placed on power plants to provide energy for heating. Additionally, forest fires, construction sites, and road repairs can contribute to smoke, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).
In April 2024, Tucson's air pollution violated federal ozone standards for the first time. On this occasion, the ozone levels at Saguaro National Park-East on Tucson's far east side reached 75 parts per billion over an eight-hour period, exceeding the federal standard of 70 parts per billion. This level of air pollution can potentially cause major health problems for children, older adults, and people with existing respiratory issues.
To address air pollution, Tucson has taken steps to improve its air quality. For example, the city has implemented the Tucson Airport Remediation Program (TARP) plant to address the presence of trichlorethylene (TCE) and other pollutants in the groundwater. TARP successfully kept dioxane levels below EPA standards until it shut down in June 2021 due to rising levels of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Overall, while vehicular emissions contribute significantly to air pollution in Tucson, the city has made efforts to mitigate this issue and maintain respectable air quality.
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Water pollution
Tucson, Arizona, has had a history of water pollution, particularly in the south side of the city, which has affected the quality of drinking water. In 1981, the Pima County Health Department found serious soil and water pollution resulting from industrial waste disposal practices. The contamination covered an area approximately half a mile wide and five miles long. The pollution was caused by trichlorethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent, that was routinely dumped in areas of South Tucson during the 1950s. TCE was used by Hughes Aircraft, a government-owned missile factory, to clean dirty metal parts and was disposed of by pouring it into open pits and drains. As a result, Tucson residents who lived in these areas developed various cancers.
In response, the Pima County Health Department closed all polluted water wells, and in 1982, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added the Tucson Airport Authority to its Superfund national priority list. In 1989, the City of Tucson settled a lawsuit with 1,600 South Side residents for $35 million. In 1991, Hughes Aircraft and other companies settled another lawsuit with the same residents for $84.5 million. In 1994, the Tucson Area Remediation Project, a treatment plant for contaminated water, began full operation. In 1998, Hughes, now Raytheon Missile Systems Co., and other firms settled a suit with 247 residents. In 2000, a $35 million plan was secured for the cleanup of the contaminated areas, and other government-supervised cleanups started about 20 years ago. The last settlements involving TCE lawsuits occurred in June 2006.
Despite these efforts, water pollution remains a concern in Tucson. In 2002, a carcinogen known as 1,4-dioxane was detected in the groundwater, caused by the same compounds that contained TCE. Although a new treatment plant was opened in 2014 to address this issue, it was unable to prevent rising levels of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS was used in firefighting foam at the Air National Guard Base in the Tucson International Airport until 2018 and is believed to have slowly made its way into the groundwater. PFAS compounds build up in the environment and may pose health risks. In May 2022, the TARP plant reopened, and the contaminated water, after being treated for PFAS, was released into the Santa Cruz River with a permit from the EPA. However, this water will no longer be served as drinking water.
In addition to PFAS, other contaminants have been detected in Tucson's drinking water, including lead, DBPs (disinfection byproducts), herbicide runoff, and atrazine. Lead enters the water supply through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. While Tucson's water currently complies with federal regulations, the EPA and CDC acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead. The herbicide atrazine has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. These issues highlight the ongoing challenges of ensuring safe and clean drinking water for the residents of Tucson.
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Forest fires, construction sites, and road repairs
Tucson, Arizona, is known for its good air quality. In 2020, the city recorded a PM2.5 reading of 5.9 μg/m³ as its yearly average, which is well within the World Health Organization's target goal of 10 μg/m³ or less. This placed Tucson among the top cities in the world for clean air.
However, there are still sources of pollution that affect the city's air quality. Forest fires, for example, are one of the main causes of air pollution in Tucson. In August 2020, the Tucson area recorded six days of excessive ozone levels due to wildfire smoke, which brought the worst air quality the city had seen in nine years. More recently, in May 2025, the Cody Fire burned about 1,200 acres near Oracle, approximately 40 miles north of Tucson.
Construction sites and road repairs are also contributing factors to air pollution in Tucson. These activities can release smoke, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) into the air. While Tucson's air quality is generally acceptable, sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure to pollutants, including difficulty breathing and throat irritation.
In addition to forest fires, construction, and road repairs, Tucson's air pollution is also influenced by vehicular emissions and the use of fossil fuels for energy.
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Acceptable air quality for most individuals
Tucson, Arizona, generally has acceptable air quality for most individuals. However, there are still sources of pollution that can be detrimental to the health of sensitive groups.
The main types of pollutants in Tucson's air are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from vehicle emissions, alongside other pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The city's large population and high tourist numbers also contribute to the pollution, with many people relying on cars for transport. In addition, Tucson's energy supply is largely derived from fossil fuels, mainly natural gas, which releases atmospheric pollutants. Certain factories and power plants also burn coal, which can emit large amounts of chemical pollutants and particulate matter.
Other factors that can affect Tucson's air quality include occasional forest fires, construction sites, and road repairs, which contribute to smoke, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). There are also seasonal variations, with pollution levels typically rising from August through the end of the year due to increased energy demands for heating.
Despite these sources of pollution, Tucson has maintained respectable air quality levels. In 2020, the city recorded a PM2.5 reading of 5.9 μg/m³ as its yearly average, well within the World Health Organization's (WHO) target of 10 μg/m³ or less for the best air quality. This placed Tucson among the top cities worldwide for clean air.
However, it is important to note that even with good air quality, sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure to pollutants. These symptoms can include difficulty breathing and throat irritation.
Tucson has also faced challenges with water pollution. Trichlorethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent, was dumped in areas of South Tucson during the 1950s, leading to serious soil and water pollution. This resulted in health issues for residents, including various cancers. Government-supervised clean-up efforts have been ongoing, and treatment plants have been established to address groundwater contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, pollution is a problem in Tucson, although the city maintains a respectable level of air quality.
The main sources of pollution in Tucson are vehicular emissions, the use of fossil fuels, and industrial waste.
The pollution in Tucson can cause health issues for certain individuals, particularly children, older adults, and those with respiratory problems.
No, in 2020, Tucson was ranked among the top cities in the world for clean air. However, in 2024, Tucson's air pollution exceeded federal ozone standards for the first time.
Yes, there have been government-supervised cleanups, and in 2000, a $35 million plan was secured for the cleanup of contaminated areas.
