Worst air pollution Calama, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Calama is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (O3: 20.1/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Calama is good. AQI improves to good; O3 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (O3: 18.8/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
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Calama's air quality reflects the northern Chilean Atacama Desert's Loa River valley position at 2,250 metres adjacent to the Chuquicamata copper mine — the world's largest open-pit copper mine — generating elevated mineral dust PM10 and copper sulphide emissions alongside vehicle traffic on surrounding roads. The extreme Atacama Desert aridity creates naturally dusty conditions, while windblown copper mine tailings and the mine's extraordinary operational scale make Calama Chile's most distinctively copper mining-defined urban air quality environment throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 03:00
AQI:
Fair
20.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
20.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
1.2/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 18:00
AQI:
Good
18.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
14.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
18.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
1.5/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Calama right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Calama is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 20.1/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (O3: 20.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Calama?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Calama will be better than today, with AQI forecast at good at 18.8/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (O3: 18.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Calama?
In Calama, traffic emissions as well as mining operations are the main local sources, with conditions worsening when dry spells bring strong winds. Dust carried on these winds adds substantially to particulate levels. This is most noticeable during spring and autumn wind events.
Are air quality levels in Calama based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?
Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.
During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)
This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.
Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.
Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.
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