Tourists at Big Bend National Park in Texas were alerted to unhealthy air quality levels on Tuesday, as reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA’s AirNow website, which monitors air quality conditions, displayed heightened pollution levels affecting parts of West Texas and northern Mexico. These areas were marked as experiencing air quality levels that could pose risks, particularly for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
Health experts emphasized the increased risks for vulnerable populations during episodes of poor air quality, urging precautions. The EPA’s air quality index (AQI) was used to assess pollution levels, with a particular focus on the zone around Big Bend National Park, which was identified as having “unhealthy for sensitive groups” air quality.
The AQI, a standardized measure for air pollution, operates on a scale from 0 to 500, with the following classifications:
- 0-50 (Green): Good – Air quality is considered satisfactory.
- 51-100 (Yellow): Moderate – Generally acceptable, though concerns may exist for sensitive individuals.
- 101-150 (Orange): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – May affect individuals with heart or lung diseases, older adults, children, and pregnant individuals.
- 151-200 (Red): Unhealthy – Health effects may be experienced by the general population.
- 201-300 (Purple): Very Unhealthy – Health warnings in effect.
- 301-500 (Maroon): Hazardous – Serious health risks for all.
On Tuesday morning, the air quality in the region around Big Bend fell within the 101-150 (Orange) range, indicating that pollution levels were elevated and could cause adverse effects for sensitive groups.
Health officials continue to advise residents and visitors to monitor air quality updates and take appropriate measures to minimize exposure, particularly during periods of heightened pollution.
