The air quality is bad today primarily due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and possibly ozone in some areas. This is often caused by sources such as combustion from vehicles, industrial activities, wildfires, and natural dust or smoke. For example, in certain regions like the Front Range in Colorado, the PM2.5 levels have been measured in the "Moderate" range, which can cause respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals and aggravate heart or lung diseases. Additionally, smoke from wildfires can contribute to high particulate concentrations, worsening air quality. Weather conditions such as temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric mixing also influence pollution levels by affecting how pollutants disperse or accumulate. Overall, today’s poor air quality stems from a combination of pollution sources and weather factors leading to moderate pollution levels that may impact sensitive groups.
