Summer School, Camps, and Transit

Summertime is here! The school year may be complete but we're entering summer camp and summer school season, and parents will be commuting for drop-offs and pick-ups. On-road vehicles are the biggest source of ozone-forming emissions in Central Texas and contribute to fine PM levels, so driving less is an important way to take care of our air.

Not sure where to start? We're here to help! You can drive less by:

• Carpooling or vanpooling. Sharing a ride reduces the number of vehicles on the road and saves you money on gas and vehicle maintenance. Check out CapMetro Vanpool and Commute Solutions to get started.
• Using public transit. Transit provides a low-cost, efficient way to get you where you need to go and gives you more time to read or catch up on the news. Plan your trip with CapMetro and CARTS.
• Biking. Biking is a zero-emission source of transportation that helps to keep you healthy. Consider riding your bike, especially if your destination is nearby. You can also bike to your nearest shuttle service to make your trip easier. Need to rent a bike? Sign up at MetroBike.
• Walking and micromobility. Walking or taking a scooter are fun ways to explore your city and are low-impact forms of active transportation. Check out our website for several walking trails in Central Texas.

Introducing Air Quality Alerts!

Unlike ozone, high fine PM levels can occur at any time of the year, especially when seasonal agricultural burning activity is high (March-May).

What to Do on an Air Quality Alert Day?

Reduce Exposure: 

On an Air Quality Alert Day for fine PM, air pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels so it is important to minimize potential health effects by reducing exposure.

Steps to reduce exposure include:

• Reduce the amount of time that you spend outside. Children and people with respiratory conditions are especially encouraged to do this since they are the first to experience health effects from air pollution. 
• Wear an N95 mask if you are in a sensitive group or spend extended time outdoors.
• Keep your windows closed to stop pollution from entering your home.
• Make sure that your A/C filter is properly maintained so air pollution does not enter through the A/C system.

Reduce Emissions:

When an Air Quality Alert Day for fine PM is declared we can help by reducing the amount of air pollution we generate.

Steps we can take to reduce emissions include:

• Reschedule any non-essential trips that require driving
• Reschedule lawn care if you use gas-powered equipment
• Avoid idling - skip the drive-thru lanes and turn off your vehicle while waiting for curbside pickup
• Avoid outdoor cooking and burning
• Avoid portable generator use

Together, we can improve air quality in Central Texas!

Air Quality News

Having Some Respiratory Trouble? Here's What's Going on in the Air - With hot temperatures and calm winds, the air is quite stagnant, producing more ozone along with other pollutants. We're also monitoring smoke from seasonal burning in Mexico along with gas flaring activities in Gulf of Mexico. (KVUE)

Report: 4 of 10 Americans Live with Unhealthy Air, and EVs Can Help - Air pollution remains a major threat to the health of many Americans, but stricter emissions rules could help, according to the American Lung Association. The organization’s 25th annual “State of the Air” report found that 131 million people—39% of the U.S. population—live in areas with unhealthy areas of air pollution. (KXAN)

Cutting-Edge Satellite Instrument Will Track Harmful Pollutants, Improve Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasts - The GeoXO ACX, being developed by BAE Systems, will provide hourly observations of air pollutants emitted by transportation, power generation, industry, oil and gas extraction, volcanoes, and wildfires, as well as secondary pollutants generated from these emissions once they are in the atmosphere. (NOAA)

Electric School Buses May Yield Significant Health and Climate Benefits, Cost Savings -Replacing an average diesel school bus from 2017 with an electric one may result in $84,200 in health and climate benefits—including fewer greenhouse gas emissions and reduced rates of mortality and childhood asthma—per individual bus. (EurekAlert!)

The Smell of Cooking Food is Actually Air Pollution, Study Finds - Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have released their findings from a multiyear study of what they call “underappreciated sources” of urban air pollution. (KXAN)

Study Links Gas Stoves to 50,000 Current Cases of Childhood Asthma - Air pollution from gas and propane stoves has caused about 50,000 current cases of childhood asthma nationwide, and people living in smaller homes are more likely to be affected. That’s according to a new study released Friday from researchers at Stanford and Harvard Universities. (WBUR)

2024 Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA Monthly Air Quality Index Levels

In May 2024, we experienced only two 'good' days, 24 'moderate' days, and five 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' days. Visit the Air Central Texas website for a breakdown of air quality conditions by pollutant and more.

Air quality trends in May 2024 were worse than those of May 2023, when the region experienced eight good days, 22 moderate days, and one unhealthy for sensitive groups day.

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:

• Particulate Matter
• Ozone

Share the Air Central Texas newsletter with your friends, family, and coworkers to help people understand the risk of poor air quality and how their actions can affect our breathable air.  

Make an air quality commitment to improve our local air quality, today!