Waking up in Long Beach usually means that crisp, salty breeze hitting your face, but honestly, the air quality in Long Beach today is a bit of a mixed bag depending on which block you’re standing on. If you're over by the Aquarium of the Pacific, it might feel great. Head a few miles inland toward the 710 freeway, and it’s a totally different story.
Basically, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Long Beach is hovering in the Moderate range today, specifically sitting around a 55 to 70 depending on the sensor you check.
That’s not "get the hazmat suit" territory. But it’s also not exactly the pristine mountain air you’d find in the Sierras. For most of us, it means the air is acceptable. If you’ve got asthma or you’re sensitive to pollutants, though, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) actually recommends keeping the intense outdoor cardio to a minimum.
The PM2.5 Problem Near the Port
You've probably heard of PM2.5. It sounds like a tech spec for a camera, but it’s actually "fine particulate matter." These are tiny particles, less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. Think about 1/30th the width of a human hair.
Because they're so small, they don't just stay in your throat. They get deep into your lungs and can even enter your bloodstream. In Long Beach, our PM2.5 levels are almost always higher than the national average because of the Port of Long Beach.
The ships are huge. The trucks are constant.
Even with the "Green Port Policy" making massive strides, those diesel engines churning all day and night create a baseline of pollution that the rest of the country doesn't have to deal with. Today, the dominant pollutant is exactly this: PM2.5.
What about the "No-Burn" alert?
Interestingly, the SCAQMD has extended a mandatory wood-burning ban for the South Coast Air Basin, which includes us here in Long Beach. This is a big deal during these colder January months.
When the air gets stagnant—basically when the wind stops moving things around—smoke from fireplaces just sits in the neighborhood like a blanket. It doesn't rise and disappear. It lingers at lung-level.
If you were planning on firing up the backyard fire pit tonight, you might want to hold off. It's actually illegal under the current "No-Burn" rule to burn wood or manufactured logs when these alerts are active. They do this to prevent the AQI from spiking into the "Unhealthy" zone for everyone.
Why the 710 Freeway is its Own Ecosystem
If you live in North Long Beach or near the 710, you're experiencing a different version of "air quality in Long Beach today" than someone in Belmont Shore.
Freeway-adjacent air quality is its own beast.
Research from groups like Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma has shown for years that the "diesel death zone" (as some activists call it) along the 710 corridor sees much higher rates of respiratory issues. The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels—that's the reddish-brown gas that contributes to smog—are always a bit more concentrated where the big rigs are hauling containers.
- Current NO2 levels: Generally low today, but they peak during morning rush hour.
- Ozone (O3): This is usually more of a summer problem when the sun "cooks" the pollutants, so we’re seeing "Good" levels for ozone today.
- Carbon Monoxide: Also staying in the "Excellent" range, which is a win.
Is it Safe to Exercise Outside?
Probably. But check your body.
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If you're doing a light jog down Ocean Blvd, you're likely fine. The sea breeze is the ultimate air purifier for the coastal strip. However, if you're doing hill repeats or heavy training near the industrial zones or heavy traffic, you might notice a bit of a scratchy throat or a cough later.
Health experts at LAC+USC Medical Center often point out that the cumulative effect of "Moderate" air over decades is what really matters. One day won't kill you, but the constant exposure is why so many locals invest in high-quality HEPA filters for their bedrooms.
Actionable Steps for Today
Since the air quality is "Moderate" and a wood-burning ban is in effect, here is how you should actually handle the next 24 hours in Long Beach:
- Skip the Fireplace: It’s a "No-Burn" day. Stick to the central heat or a space heater to keep the neighborhood air from getting worse.
- Ventilate Strategically: If you live near the 710 or the Port, keep windows closed during peak morning and evening traffic (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM). Open them up mid-afternoon when the breeze is strongest.
- Check the Map: Use the SCAQMD mobile app. It’s way more accurate for Long Beach than the generic weather app on your phone because it pulls from local sensors like the one on Route 710.
- Change Your Filters: If it’s been more than three months, swap out your home’s HVAC filter. Look for a MERV 13 rating if you can; it’s the sweet spot for catching those tiny port-side particles without killing your AC motor.
The air quality in Long Beach today isn't a crisis, but it's a reminder that living in a global logistics hub comes with a literal price we breathe in. Stay aware, especially if you’re in those high-traffic pockets of the city.