Mexico City Air Quality ‘Acceptable’ on February 22nd, UV Index Low
Mexico City, February 23rd – The Atmospheric Monitoring Directorate of Mexico City reported ‘Acceptable’ air quality for February 22nd, 2026, with a ‘Moderate’ health risk for residents. The UV index reached a low level of 2, indicating that no special protection was needed for outdoor activities.
The daily hourly reports by the Directorate aim to keep the public informed and encourage precautions regarding outdoor activities, especially for sensitive groups. This monitoring can also lead to environmental measures such as Contingencia Ambiental and the ‘Doble Hoy No Circula’ program.
Air Quality Status Across the Valley of Mexico
As of 3:00 PM EST on February 22nd, the air quality in Mexico City and the State of Mexico was deemed ‘Acceptable’.
Mexico City Stations Reporting:
- Tlalpan (AJM): Good
- Benito Juárez (BJU): Good
- Gustavo A. Madero (GAM): Good
- Cuauhtémoc (HGM): Good
- Venustiano Carranza (MER): Good
- Miguel Hidalgo (MGH): Good
- Álvaro Obregón (PED): Good
- Tláhuac (TAH): Good
- Coyoacán (UAX): Good
- Iztapalapa (UIZ): Good
Stations in Azcapotzalco (CAM), Cuajimalpa (CUA), Iztacalco (IZT), and Iztapalapa (SAC) were either without data or under maintenance.
State of Mexico Stations Reporting:
- Atizapán (ATI): Good
- Cuautitlán Izcalli (CUT): Good
- Naucalpan (FAC): Good
- Ecatepec (LLA): Good
- Anexo de Tlalnepantla (LPR): Good
- Nezahualcóyotl (NEZ): Good
- Ecatepec (SAG): Good
- Coacalco (VIF): Good
- Ecatepec (XAL): Good
- Tlalnepantla (TLA): Acceptable
Stations in Chalco (CHO), Nezahualcóyotl (FAR), and Tultitlán (TLI) were either without data or under maintenance. Some municipalities and boroughs have multiple monitoring stations, leading to repeated listings.
Health Recommendations Based on Air Quality Levels
The Atmospheric Monitoring Directorate categorizes air quality into five levels, each with specific health recommendations:
- Good (Green): Minimal health risk. General population and sensitive groups can enjoy outdoor activities.
- Acceptable (Yellow): Sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms. Those with pre-existing lung and heart conditions, and the elderly, might see aggravation of their conditions. Sensitive groups should consider reducing vigorous outdoor physical activities, while others can continue.
- Bad (Orange): Significant increase in respiratory symptoms for sensitive individuals. Higher probability of aggravation and decreased tolerance for physical activity in people with respiratory and heart diseases, as well as an increased likelihood of premature deaths in individuals with heart or lung conditions. Both sensitive groups and the general population should take greater precautions for outdoor activities.
- Very Bad (Red): Aggravated respiratory symptoms in sensitive populations and individuals with lung disease. Increased cardiovascular symptoms, such as chest pain, in heart patients. Higher probability of premature deaths in individuals with heart or lung disease.
- Extremely Bad (Purple): Significant increase in the probability of severe respiratory symptoms in the general population. Serious respiratory effects and aggravation of symptoms in sensitive individuals and those with lung disease. Aggravation of cardiovascular symptoms in heart patients and increased probability of premature death in individuals with lung and heart disease.
Sensitive groups include children, the elderly, individuals with nutritional deficiencies, people engaged in outdoor activities, cyclists, and outdoor workers.
Source: https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2026/02/22/la-calidad-del-aire-en-la-cdmx-este-22-de-febrero/
