PHOENIX (April 22, 2026) — The American Lung Association’s 2026 State of the Air (SOTA) report released today shows ongoing air quality challenges for Arizona. More stagnant days and increased wildfire smoke continue to impact the state’s air quality. The Lung Association developed its annual SOTA report rankings using air quality data for the two most widespread pollutants in the United States — ozone and fine particulate matter. These pollutants pose a public health concern when they reach unhealthy levels. 

We’ve proven we can slash emissions through smart policy, but the rise in wildfire smoke and stagnant weather patterns has moved the goalposts, said ADEQ Air Quality Division director Daniel Czecholinski. Our 70% decrease over 30 years is a huge win, but we aren't slowing down. We’re doubling down on innovation by bringing together leading air quality experts in Arizona and across the nation to address rising ground-level ozone concentrations and working side-by-side with our communities to meet these new challenges head-on | Learn More >

Taking small actions through voluntary programs can add up to cleaner air for Arizona | What you can do to improve air quality >

Clean air is the foundation of a healthy Arizona, yet research continues to show that pollutants like ozone and particulate matter trigger life-altering conditions like asthma and heart disease, said JoAnna Strother, Senior Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Arizona. To safeguard the health of our residents and the millions of guests who visit our state, we must deepen our collaborative efforts to clean the air we all breathe.

American Lung Association State of the Air 2026 Report | View Report >

Ozone Levels

The SOTA 2026 report ranks the Phoenix metropolitan area at 4th in the nation for unhealthy ozone days. Ground-level ozone pollution is created when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) chemically react in sunlight. On average, Arizona has more sunlight and less cloud cover than any other state in the nation. Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma consistently rank at or near the top as the sunniest cities in the U.S., and this means more sunlight reaches the ground giving ultraviolet radiation a greater chance to react and form more ozone. Compounds that form ozone also come from biomass (shrubs and trees), industry, wildfires, gas-powered garden equipment and more.

Other contributors to ozone pollution in Arizona include emissions from international sources, such as Mexico and China, and other states, such as California, and ADEQ is working with our neighbors to better understand ozone transport in an effort to improve air quality for everyone.

In the Phoenix area, vehicles driving on the roads produce the majority of NOx and are the biggest contributor to human-caused ozone. A major source of VOCs is plants (vegetation). If there are enough VOCs present, it takes very little NOx to increase ozone levels. And, because of the complexity of ozone formation, less NOx does not necessarily equal less ozone right away.

Arizona motorists can improve air quality not only by driving or idling less, but by also keeping vehicles tuned and operating within federal emissions limits. 

In addition, all Arizonans can help improve air quality by selecting plants for our yards and businesses that produce lower VOCs.

• ADEQ Voluntary Vehicle Repair Program (VVRP) | View VVRP > 
• Clean Air Make More Trees & Air Quality in Maricopa County | View Project >

Additional ozone data should be available in the near future as ADEQ is currently working on the Ground Level Ozone Research (GLOR) Project in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Region 9 and Office of Research and Development), National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Maricopa County, Maricopa Association of Governments, Arizona State University, and the University of Arizona. 

The GLOR team conducted field studies during the summer and fall of 2025 to verify emissions, model and predict ozone concentrations, and identify opportunities to mitigate high ozone levels. The GLOR study is still ongoing and is in the data analysis phase | View the ADEQ press release about the GLOR Project >

• Ozone Fact Sheet | View Fact Sheet > 
• EPA AQI Guide | View Guide >

Particle Levels: PM_2.5

The SOTA 2026 report ranks the Phoenix metropolitan area 15th nationally for worst year-round particle pollution (PM_2.5).

During Arizona’s winter holiday season, the combination of smoke from burning wood in fire pits, fireplaces and fireworks and calm, cool weather can cause high levels of particulate matter pollution.

• Particulate Matter Fact Sheet | View PM Fact Sheet >

By switching to propane instead of wood and reducing the use of fireworks, especially during periods of calm winter weather, we can reduce the air pollution that settles over valleys across Arizona during the winter holiday season.

ADEQ encourages Arizonans to stay informed about air quality conditions to protect their health and to learn more about how our individual actions can improve air quality every day, and especially at times when ADEQ air quality meteorologists provide early information about the potential for high pollution days. ADEQ is committed to making information about air quality and health clear and accessible to everyone:

• ADEQ Air Quality Forecasts | View >

Contacts:

ADEQ
Public Information Officer
Ph: 480-979-1600 (cell) 
Email >