Air Quality Bureau
OZONE (O3)
In March of 2008, the federal government lowered the NAAQS for ozone from 0.08 parts per million (ppm) to 0.075 (ppm). Due to the lowering of the federal standard, then Governor Bill Richardson recommended that Sunland Park, NM (including the communities of Santa Teresa and La Union) be designated as nonattainment of the new 8-hour ozone standard. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has never acted on that recommendation due to their reconsideration of the 0.075 standard. No areas of New Mexico are currently nonattainment for ozone. On October 17, 2011, the Environment Department submitted a letter to Region 6 of the EPA recommending that all areas of New Mexico be designated as in attainment of the ozone standard.
The Air Quality Bureau maintains 15 ozone monitors across the state. Real-time data can be accessed here.
Four Corners Air Quality Group
The Four Corners Air Quality Group is a forum for individuals interested in air quality to meet, learn about current conditions, review progress on mitigation of air quality impacts, and generally contribute to clean air in the Four Corners area. Includes links to Four Corners Modeling Project, 4CAQTF report, and archives.
- Technical Work Group on San Juan County Ozone Action
- Public meetings on ground level ozone pollution in San Juan County area
- Public meetings on ground level ozone pollution in Sunland Park and Las Cruces
Ozone Forecast & Ozone Action Days
- NOAA-EPA-NWS photochemical air quality forecast on ground level ozone (O3) for San Juan and Doña Ana Counties
- Health advisories & voluntary actions
For more information please contact Mark Jones by email at mark.jones@state.nm.us or by phone at 505-566-9746.