Ground-Level Ozone

The Air Quality Program's Ozone Reduction Initiative includes:

• Participating in EPA’s voluntary Ozone Advance Program and hiring new staff to support this initiative
• Updating the vehicle emissions testing program
• Increasing public awareness on the dangers of ground-level ozone and actions to help reduce it
• Supporting the State’s efforts to reduce ozone precursor emissions from the oil and gas industry
• Supporting the State’s efforts to develop clean car standards

Vehicle owners can help reduce ground-level ozone by following these tips:

• Refuel your vehicle during the coolest times of day
• Maintain proper tire pressure to boost your car's performance and our air quality
• Turn off your engine instead of idling to save gas and reduces emissions
• Bike, carpool, or use public transit to reduce emissions from vehicles

Ways to limit your exposure to ground-level ozone:

• Exercise indoors or early in the day when ozone levels are lowest. As the day progresses and the temperature rises, ozone levels also get higher.
• Stay away from high-traffic areas. Don’t walk, jog, or cycle along the freeway or places where cars tend to idle.
• Use ozone-reducing air filters indoors to control the ozone entering your home.

Read the report that describes air quality modeling of factors contributing to high local ozone levels during June and July of 2017.

What is Ground-Level Ozone?

Ground-Level Ozone (O₃) is an invisible pollutant that threatens Albuquerque's air quality; but we have the power to reduce it. While some Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are naturally occurring (biogenic), most are man-made (anthropogenic). For example, emissions from power plants, factories, and vehicles, along with fumes from paints, solvents, and fuels, contain NOx and VOCs. From May through September high levels of O₃ are most likely to occur. Together we can keep ground-level ozone levels down and air quality up.