Lea, New Mexico Air Quality
Lea County, New Mexico (NM)
→ Stableover 10 years
10-Year AQI Trend
The solid line shows the median AQI each year. The dashed line shows the 90th percentile (worst 10% of days).
Air Quality Day Breakdown
Number of days per year in each EPA AQI category. Green = Good (AQI 0-50), Yellow = Moderate (51-100), Orange = Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Red = Unhealthy or worse (151+).
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Median AQI | 90th Pct | Max AQI | Good Days | Moderate | Unhealthy+ | Pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 45 | 74 | 133 | 235 | 122 | 7 | Ozone |
| 2022 | 44 | 74 | 126 | 237 | 123 | 5 | Ozone |
| 2021 | 44 | 64 | 151 | 257 | 105 | 3 | Ozone |
| 2020 | 40 | 54 | 79 | 310 | 56 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2019 | 48 | 71 | 140 | 210 | 151 | 4 | Ozone |
| 2018 | 50 | 80 | 143 | 193 | 166 | 6 | Ozone |
| 2017 | 50 | 71 | 133 | 184 | 177 | 4 | Ozone |
| 2016 | 42 | 58 | 97 | 305 | 59 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2015 | 41 | 64 | 159 | 278 | 82 | 1 | Ozone |
| 2014 | 44 | 64 | 113 | 250 | 107 | 3 | Ozone |
What This Means for Lea County Residents
Lea, New Mexico has received an Air Quality Grade of C (62/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 45 falls in the "Good" range.
The primary pollutant affecting this area is Ground-Level Ozone. Over the past 5 years, this area has averaged 4 unhealthy air quality days per year — days when sensitive groups (children, elderly, those with respiratory conditions) should limit outdoor activity. The American Lung Association's State of the Air report provides additional context on long-term health risks from air pollution exposure.
Related Cities in New Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions
Lea, New Mexico has a current median AQI of 45, which falls in the "Good" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of C (62/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Lea, New Mexico is stable over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by +1 points from 2014 to 2023.
Lea, New Mexico averages 4 unhealthy air quality days per year over the past 5 years. On these days, sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor activity.
The primary pollutant affecting Lea, New Mexico is Ground-Level Ozone. This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Lea County area.
Lea, New Mexico averages 4 unhealthy air days per year. This is relatively low, making it a reasonable choice for asthma sufferers. The primary pollutant is Ground-Level Ozone, which is a known asthma trigger.
With a median AQI of 45 (Good), outdoor exercise in Lea, New Mexico is generally safe year-round. Lea, New Mexico averages 4 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.