Mountain Air Quality

Mountains are often associated with clean crisp air and vistas stretching out for over 90 miles. In the eastern United States however, poor air quality directly affects hikers and others who recreate outdoors and the higher peaks can have air quality as poor as urban centers.

Air quality is determined by measuring the amounts of pollution present in the air we breathe. Haze (fine particulates) and ozone are two major pollutants that are measured in assessing outdoor air quality.  Generally, ozone and fine particle pollution negatively affects our health and haze diminishes our scenic views.  The movie below shows a week long air pollution event in the New Hampshire mountains. The focal point of the view is of Mount Washington.

Photos: CAMNET; Ozone Data: AMC and NHDES
NOTE CHANGE IN VISIBLITY AND CHANGE IN OZONE LEVELS.
Ozone does not impair visibility, fine particle pollution does. However, these 2 different types of pollution often come together to our region.

Check Real-time Ozone Levels and  Real-time Visibility in mountainous regions.

Help the AMC collect data on your hike - Be a Visibility Volunteer.