Air Quality Alert: Albuquerque's Worst Pollution Times

Albuquerque's air quality has been a topic of discussion, with some reports ranking it among the worst in the country. While the city has achieved a \good\ annual mean Air Quality Index (AQI) category since 2000, short-term pollution spikes pose health risks to residents. November to February tends to be the most polluted months, with elevated levels due to increased emissions from building heating, wood burning, car idling, and temperature inversions, creating the infamous brown cloud. Ground-level ozone, a major threat to human health, is an area of concern, with Albuquerque ranking worst for ozone pollution among US EPA criteria pollutants. However, ozone levels have shown a subtle arc towards progress since their peak in 2001-2003.

Winter months have the worst air pollution

Winter months, specifically November, December, January, and February, tend to be the most polluted in Albuquerque. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, there is an increase in emissions from building heating and car idling. Wood burning, which is a significant source of air pollution, is more common during the winter months. Additionally, temperature inversions, a weather phenomenon where cold, polluted ground-level air is trapped by a warmer layer of air above, prevent the normal dispersion of air pollution. This results in elevated pollution levels and the formation of Albuquerque's notorious "brown cloud."

The American Lung Association's 2019 "State of the Air" report gave Albuquerque a failing grade due to exceeding the federal allowance of unhealthy ozone days. Ozone levels in Albuquerque have been a persistent issue, with the city currently ranking as the worst in the US for ozone pollution. While there was a period of improvement from 2014 to 2016, ozone levels have been on the rise since then due in part to warming temperatures and record-breaking global heat.

In addition to ozone, Albuquerque's air quality is affected by particulate matter, including coarse and fine particles. These particles can come from various sources, such as dust, pollen, and smoke. While the overall air quality in Albuquerque has shown improvements, with annual mean Air Quality Index (AQI) values falling within the "good" category in recent years, short-term pollution spikes still pose health risks to residents.

The AQI is an essential tool for monitoring air quality and is calculated by weighing six major air pollutants, including ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. During periods of high pollution, sensitive individuals, such as those with respiratory conditions or cardiovascular issues, may experience adverse health effects. It is recommended that these individuals minimize heavy or prolonged outdoor exertion during "orange" level days and take precautions to avoid health impacts during "red" level days.

To improve air quality in Albuquerque during the winter months, it is crucial to address the sources of pollution. This includes reducing emissions from heating, minimizing wood burning, and transitioning to lower-emission vehicles and engines. By implementing these measures and adapting to the challenges posed by climate change, Albuquerque can work towards mitigating the worst effects of air pollution and protecting the health and well-being of its residents.

Ozone levels are a significant issue

While Albuquerque's air quality has been rated as "good" on the Air Quality Index (AQI) since 2000, ozone levels are a significant issue. Ozone, along with airborne particles, is one of the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in the country.

Albuquerque currently ranks worst for ozone pollution out of all the US EPA criteria pollutants. Ozone levels were highest between 2001 and 2003 and reached their lowest point from 2014 to 2016. Since then, ozone levels have been rising year after year. This increase in ozone levels is consistent with trends observed in most US cities, influenced by warming temperatures and record-breaking global heat.

The American Lung Association's 2019 "State of the Air" report gave Albuquerque a failing grade due to exceeding the federal allowance of 3.2 unhealthy ozone days. From 2016 to 2018, the city experienced a weighted average of 6.3 unhealthy ozone days. These unhealthy ozone levels can have adverse health effects on residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD. Bernalillo County, which includes Albuquerque, has a significant number of residents with these conditions, making them vulnerable to the impacts of poor air quality.

Several factors contribute to elevated pollution levels during the winter months in Albuquerque. Increased emissions from building heating, wood burning, and car idling play a role. Additionally, temperature inversions, a weather phenomenon where warmer air traps colder, polluted air, prevent the normal dispersion of air pollution, leading to the formation of the city's notorious "brown cloud."

While Albuquerque's air quality has shown some improvement over the years, with reports of better air quality in the 1970s and 1990s, ozone levels remain a critical concern. The transition to lower-emission, higher-fuel-efficiency vehicles and engines is essential to improving ozone levels in the city.

Temperature inversions cause pollution build-up

Temperature inversions are a weather phenomenon that causes air pollution to build up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During a temperature inversion, a layer of warm air sits above a layer of colder, denser air, trapping it and preventing the normal dispersion of air pollution. This results in a build-up of pollution in the lower atmosphere, leading to smog and reduced air quality.

Albuquerque experiences temperature inversions during the winter months, particularly in November, December, January, and February. These months tend to have the highest pollution levels in the city, with up to twice the pollution burden of the summer months. The increased pollution is also due to additional emissions from building heating, wood burning, and car idling.

The geographical location of Albuquerque exacerbates the effects of temperature inversions. The city lies in a valley known as the Albuquerque Basin, surrounded by mountains on both sides. These natural barriers create an effect of lighter winds and more stagnant air, contributing to the build-up of pollution during temperature inversions.

The temperature inversions in Albuquerque give rise to the city's infamous "brown cloud." This phenomenon occurs when the warm air caps the colder, polluted air below, trapping it and creating a visible layer of smog. The "brown cloud" is a well-known indicator of poor air quality in the city.

While temperature inversions primarily affect Albuquerque during the winter, the city also faces challenges with ozone pollution in the summer months. Ozone formation requires sunlight and heat, which explains its prevalence in the summer and during the afternoon. However, overall, Albuquerque has achieved a ""good"" annual mean in the Air Quality Index (AQI) category since at least 2000. The AQI takes into account six major air pollutants, including ozone, PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Despite healthy annual means, short-term pollution spikes can still pose health risks to residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions or other sensitivities.

Wood burning and car idling increase pollution

While Albuquerque has achieved an annual mean in the "good" Air Quality Index (AQI) category since at least 2000, the city experiences short-term pollution spikes, particularly during the winter months. November, December, January, and February tend to be the most polluted months in Albuquerque, with pollution levels up to two times higher than in the summer. This is due to increased emissions from building heating, wood burning, and car idling, as well as temperature inversions.

Wood burning is a significant contributor to air pollution in Albuquerque. It produces fine particulate matter that can pollute indoor air and harm the lungs and heart. Burning wood also releases carbon monoxide and other toxins that contribute to ground-level ozone formation. Scientific research has linked exposure to particle pollution from wood smoke to adverse health effects, including aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and the development of chronic bronchitis. For individuals with heart disease, particle pollution is associated with heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, heart failure, and stroke.

To address the issue of wood-burning pollution, the City of Albuquerque has implemented a Daily Air Quality Update and a ""No-Burn" program. Residents are encouraged to check the Daily Air Quality Update or call a designated phone number before burning wood to ensure conditions are "Ok to Burn." The "No-Burn" orders are issued based on evaluations of pollutant levels, weather patterns, air movement, and temperature levels. Additionally, the city recommends using dry, seasoned wood for burning to reduce particle pollution and encourages the use of EPA-certified wood stoves and fireplace inserts, which can reduce air pollutants by up to 70% compared to older models.

Car idling is another factor that contributes to increased air pollution in Albuquerque during the winter. Mobile sources, including emissions from cars, trucks, and other vehicles, are the largest single contributor to the city's air pollution. To mitigate this issue, Mayor Tim Keller has pledged to convert 63% of the city's light-duty car fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles by 2025. The city is also encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by establishing a city-wide EV charging infrastructure.

In summary, wood burning and car idling are significant contributors to air pollution in Albuquerque, particularly during the winter months. The city has implemented measures such as the Daily Air Quality Update, "No-Burn" program, and incentives for adopting cleaner technologies to reduce the impact of these activities on air quality and public health.

Albuquerque ranks poorly for clean air

Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been ranked among the worst cities in the US for air quality. While the city has experienced mixed ratings over the years, it currently ranks the worst for ozone pollution out of all US EPA criteria pollutants.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used by the EPA to report air quality and tell citizens how clean or polluted the air is. The AQI focuses on health effects that may be experienced within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: particle pollution (including coarse PM10 and fine PM2.5), ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

Albuquerque has achieved an annual mean in the "good" air quality index (AQI) category since at least 2000. The "good" distinction indicates that breathing the air typically poses little to no risk to human health. However, short-term pollution spikes still pose health risks to residents. From 2016 to 2018, Albuquerque experienced a weighted average of 6.3 unhealthy ozone days, exceeding the federal allowance of 3.2 unhealthy ozone days.

The months of November, December, January, and February tend to be the most polluted in Albuquerque, often carrying up to twice the pollution burden of the summer months. Elevated pollution levels during these months reflect increased emissions from building heating, wood burning, and car idling, as well as the influence of temperature inversions, a weather event where cold polluted ground-level air is trapped by a warmer air layer above.

While Albuquerque's air quality has shown some improvement in recent years, with ozone levels reaching their lowest point in 2014-2016, it continues to face challenges due to geographical conditions, increasing population, and the presence of refineries and chemical plants in the surrounding areas.

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