Air Quality Bureau

New Mexico Ozone Forecast

New Mexico is making available a 48 hour ozone forecast for San Juan and Dona Ana Counties.  This information on ground level Ozone (O3) concentrations for New Mexico is based on a photochemical model. This is a joint NOAA-EPA product of the Air Quality Forecast System by the National Weather Service.  You may sign-up to recieve forecasts by visiting the ENVIROFLASH pages:

San Juan County

Dona Ana County  

You may sign-up to receive forecasts for San Juan County Ozone based on different thresholds.  For example you can choose to receive a daily ozone forecast or to receive a forecast only when the model predicts unhealthy levels.

 An Ozone Action Day will be declared for the County if the Ozone forecast for tomorrow is at AQI of 101 (category Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) or higher . AQI 101-150 corresponds to an Ozone 8-hour average (ppm) 0.076 - 0.095 ppm. On Ozone Action days you will receive a special message with health precautions and tips on how you can make a difference by reducing emissions that lead to ozone.

Information on actual observed ozone concentrations from NMED Ozone monitors is available here: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/AirQualityMonitoringData.html

OZONE ACTION DAYS

An Ozone Action Day will be declared if the Ozone is expected to reach the AQI Orange level corresponding to an Ozone 8-hour average (ppm) 0.076 - 0.095 ppm.  Please take into consideration the following warning for Ozone Action Days

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)

The following groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion: People with lung disease, such as asthma Children and older adults People who are active outdoors

 

For more information on the AQI and health effects of Ozone goto the Air Now Home Page or the Air Quality Index Home Page

Actions can be taken to help reduce ozone precursors (Volatile Organic Compunds and Nitrogen Oxides) to help reduce ozone. 

 

Keep the Air Cleaner

Conserve energy-home at work,everywhere. Turn off lights you are not using. Carpool or use public transportation. When air quality is healthy, bike or walk instead of driving. Combine errands to reduce vehicle trips. Limit engine idling. When refueling: Stop when the pump shuts off. Putting more fuel in is bad for the environment and can damage your vehicle. Avoid spilling fuel. Always tighten your gas cap securely. Office of Air Quality and Radiation (6301A) EPA456-F-08-001 www.airnow.gov March, 2008

Keep your car, boat, and other engines tuned up. Inflate your car’s tires to the recommended pressure. Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever possible. Follow manufacturers’recommendations to use and properly seal cleaners, paints, and other chemicals so smog-forming chemicals can’t evaporate. On Air Quality Action Days, you should also: Refuel cars and trucks after dusk,when emissions are less likely to produce ozone. Delay using gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment until air quality is healthy again. Delay using household, workshop, and garden chemicals until air quality is healthy again.

 

San Juan VISTAS

New Mexico administers a voluntary emissions reduction program for the improvement of air quality in northwestern New Mexico - San Juan VISTAS - Voluntary Innovative Strategies for Today's Air Standards.

The purpose of San Juan VISTAS is to identify, promote, and implement cost-effective technologies and Best Management Practices to reduce air pollution affecting northwestern New Mexico, including ozone,  haze, and greenhouse gases.  San Juan VISTAS is now open to industries, municipalities, and other organizations in San Juan, Rio Arriba, and Sandoval Counties.  Participants in the program are recognized by NMED.