Fireworks and Wood Burning
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Fireworks & New Year's Eve
Firework displays have the potential for high concentrations of smoke, which is a component of fine particulate matter (PM), and can have negative health effects. This is especially true around New Year’s Eve, when extensive fireworks are part of large events and smaller displays taking place at neighborhood and family gatherings. The smoke from these displays generally dissipates within a few hours, but there is also the possibility of the smoke lingering for several days, and individuals may feel lingering health effects. 'Moderate' and 'unhealthy for sensitive group' days were observed after New Year's Eve in the Central Texas region in 2023 and 2024.
Those most likely to feel negative effects of elevated fine particulate matter are children, older adults and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions. Short-term exposures can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma and acute bronchitis, and increasing the susceptibility to respiratory infections. In people with heart disease, short-term exposures to the smoke from fireworks have been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias.
You can reduce your exposure to firework smoke by avoiding display areas, viewing fireworks from a distance, or staying indoors and closing your windows after dark. If PM levels stay elevated through the following morning you should stay indoors, close your windows, and limit time outdoors, especially if you are sensitive to air pollution.
Remember to follow local laws regarding fireworks and be safe to avoid fires or personal harm. Check the AQI forecast at AirNow to stay up to date on local air quality conditions.
2024 Air Central Awards Recipients
From left to right: Rose Chunik, Michael Spano, Christina Schwerdtfeger with CREAM; Chikage Windler with CBS Austin; Adele Noel with Travis County; Liz John and Shaun Auckland with SPEER.
On Dec. 11, 2024, at CAPCOG's General Assembly meeting the Air Quality program recognized the recipients of the 2024 Air Central Texas Awards. This year's recipients are:
- Chikage Windler, Chief Meteorologist at CBS-Austin - Media Award,
- South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) - Outstanding Organization Award,
- Coalition for Responsible Environmental Aggregate Mining (CREAM) - Environmental Education Award, and
- Adele Noel, Air Quality Environmental Project Manager for Travis County- Bill Gill Central Texas Air Quality Leadership Award.
Check out Chikage Windler's CBS-Ausin coverage of the 2024 Air Central Texas Awards here.
Reduce PM Pollution, Limit Wood Burning
Burning wood during the cooler holiday season produces fine PM both indoors and outdoors that can affect you and your neighbors. These emissions can cause wheezing, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature deaths.
You can protect yourself from PM by checking AirNow’s air quality index (AQI) forecast for the day and limiting your outdoor activities if pollution levels are high. AirNow also provides an interactive Fire and Smoke Map that shows fire locations and smoke plumes that may impact your health.
Learn more about fine PM pollution on the Air Central Texas website. You can also request a free fine PM sensor through our Be Air Smart program to track PM in real time at your location.
Air Quality News
Austin City Council Passes New Energy Plan Through 2035. Here's What it Does. - After nearly two years of study, revision, public outreach and intense debate, the City of Austin finally has a new plan for how it will meet its energy needs over the next 10 years. (KUT News)
Texas Lawmaker Hopes New Bill Will Create High-Speed Rail Line from Dallas to Austin to San Antonio - Texas Rep. John Bucy, a Democrat who represents parts of North Austin and Williamson County, filed House Bill 483, which would propose an agreement between the Texas Department of Transportation and a private partner to create this rail line that would connect Dallas to Austin to San Antonio. (KVUE)
Here's How to Score Prizes by Riding CapMetro This December - CapMetro's "Magic of Transit" event will include a number of customer appreciation events throughout the month of December. The events include breakfast and coffee at various stops, fare pass giveaways on select surprise routes and a social media contest. (KVUE)
Movability White Paper Offers Parking, Commuting Options to Address Mueller Congestion - The paper from Movability, which was completed in partnership with the city, calls for expanding active transportation options – including more bike racks, dockless scooters and CapMetro Bikeshare stations – to connect residents, workers and visitors more efficiently. (Austin Monitor)
San Marcos Looking to Merge 2 Major Bus Services as City Grows - The city of San Marcos is asking for feedback from residents as it looks to upgrade and enhance its public transit system. City leaders are asking residents to complete a survey for the 2024 San Marcos Transit Route Study. (KVUE)
2024 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA Monthly Air Quality Index Levels
Go to AirCentralTexas.org for a more detailed breakdown of air quality conditions by pollutant and location.
Air quality trends in November 2024 were improved compared to those of November 2023, when the region experienced 23 good days and seven moderate days.
Access the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast using most weather apps or visit AirNow.gov for localized information.
Learn how these pollutants can affect public health:
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