Central Texas' air quality could use improvement
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The American Lung Association has, for 26 years, analyzed data from air quality monitors to compile the State of the Air report. Part of the goal of this report is to make citizens aware of the air they breathe in order to protect their health.
Rich Segal spoke with Clean Air Force Executive Director Jim Stephens about the 2025 report. Stephens cited statistics and reasons for the grade this area received, along with potential solutions that could improve the grade.
The report looks at levels of ozone “smog”—the air pollutant affecting the largest number of people in the country.
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro grading
This year, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area ranked 46th worst in the nation for ozone pollution. The ranking was based on this area’s worst county average of the number of unhealthy days.
In Travis County specifically, the number of unhealthy days was 5.7 per year, a grade of F. Last year, that number was 2.3 days, a grade of D.
The second category tracked short-term particulate pollution, which can be extremely dangerous and worse.
Austin-Round-San Marcos ranked 156th worst in the nation for short-term particle pollution, which was equivalent to a B grade. This was, however, better than the 2024 ranking of 101st worst, also a B grade.
When combined, Travis County received a grade of F for pollution levels above the federal standard. The area ranks 39th worst in the nation, worse than last year’s report, which showed the area as being the 54th worst.
What contributed to this failing grade?
The increase in the area’s population means there are more cars on the roads, leading to belching exhaust from tailpipes … ozone.
Construction projects continue to multiply, causing dust to enter the atmosphere … particulate matter. Add to that the fine particulate matter that affects the area from the seasonal agricultural burning that drifts north from Mexico and Central America. And, there’s also the fine particulate matter from the Saharan dust layer.
As the country observes Air Quality Awareness Week (May 5-9), there are ways to mitigate this and to improve the grade. One is to think about purchasing electric cars and hybrids. Consider filling your gas tank early in the morning or late in the day. Stephens cites an even bigger reason for the failing grade. Idling cars lead to increasing levels of ozone.
