Austin area was in attainment of EPA air quality standards in 2010

We live, work, learn and play in accessible, safe, clean and healthy physical environments.

Indicator: Attainment of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ozone standards

Significance of Indicator: Poor air quality causes irritation to the throat and lungs, results in diminished lung capacity, and aggravates asthma and other respiratory problems. These health issues result in increased health care costs and increased school absences. Environmentally, air quality damages sensitive vegetation, crops, and trees.

what the data tell us

Although Austin's design value has been decreasing and the Austin area is in attainment of air quality standards, the design value may not be low enough to meet the EPA's newly proposed air ozone standards (indicated by the peach box).

Definition: Ground–level ozone is formed through chemical reactions between natural and manmade emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of heat and sunlight. The EPA determines whether or not an area is in attainment of air quality standards by averaging the area's fourth highest ground–level ozone readings over the past three years. This average is called the design value. If the design value is higher than the designated air quality standard set by the EPA, then an area is in non–attainment.

Data Source: Capital Area Council of Governments

The Story Behind the indicator

While air quality in Austin is negatively affected by vehicle emissions, including emissions from vehicles that are simply passing
through the area on the interstate, it is also affected by emission sources that are outside of our region. The percentage of
ground‐level ozone that is created locally vs. non‐locally varies. In May through June Austin sees more locally generated ozone.
In late August through September up to 80% of Austin's ozone pollution is being transported in by winds from power plants
and pollutants from areas both inside and outside of the State. Although the EPA considers outside sources of emissions when
reviewing Austin's air quality, receiving a non‐attainment status still results in sanctions for our region. To learn more about
the story behind air quality in our community, click here.

Some local efforts to improve this indicator

The Clean Air Coalition is a collaboration of local governments in our five–county region working together to develop plans to comply with the 8-hour ozone standard. The 8-hour ozone flex plan is a voluntary agreement between local governments, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the EPA to take proactive measures to improve air quality.
Commute Solutions, a program of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, strives to educate the public and employers on the health, environmental and economic benefits of alternative transportation modes and commuter practices.
The Austin Climate Protection Program of the City of Austin has a goal of making Austin the leading city in the nation in the fight against climate change.

A Closer look at the story behind the indicators

Forty-nine percent of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions in the Austin–Round Rock area come from on-road sources such as car, bus, and truck traffic. Federal emission standards on new on-road and non-road equipment will result in significant emission reductions over the next ten years.

2008 NOx Emissions for Austin Round Rock MSA

Definition: The emissions inventory is an accounting of emissions in a region, categorized by the type of emissions source. Point sources represent large industrial facilities such as power plants or cement plants. The on-road category represents emissions from traffic on roadways while non-road is made up of construction, mining and landscaping equipment. The area source category is made up of small commercial businesses like gas stations and consumer products like house paint.

Data Source: Capital Area Council of Government, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Sixty–one percent of volatile organic compound emissions (VOCs) originate from area sources.

Data Considerations: The emissions inventory is an accounting of emissions in a region, categorized by the type of emissions source. Point sources represent large industrial facilities such as power plants or cement plants. The on-road category represents emissions from traffic on roadways while non-road is made up of construction, mining and landscaping equipment. The area source category is made up of small commercial businesses like gas stations and consumer products like house paint.

Data Source: Capital Area Council of Government, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

2008 VOCs Emissions for Austin Region (tons/day)