Air Quality Successes - Criteria Pollutants
Texas’ air quality has made huge strides in the past few decades. The state has devoted significant resources for air monitoring and research to advance the science and find innovative ways to improve air quality.
Our Nation's Air
by the US EPA
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- Ozone is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
- Ozone can cause breathing problems, especially for children, older adults, and those with asthma.
- Ozone concentrations in Texas have decreased by 31% over the past 22 years.
- Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) are small particles emitted by or formed in the air from dust, fires, vehicles, and industrial processes.
- PM2.5 can cause heart or breathing problems, especially for children and older adults.
- PM2.5 in Texas has decreased by 18% (24-hour PM2.5) and 22% (annual PM2.5) over the last 20 years.
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is a gas that is emitted into the air from cars, trucks, power plants, and off-road machinery.
- NO2 can cause breathing problems, especially for children, older adults, and those with asthma.
- NO2 in Texas has decreased by 26% (one-hour NO2) and 42% (annual NO2) over the last 22 years.
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a gas emitted into the air from sources that burn fuels containing sulfur.
- SO2 can cause breathing problems, especially for children, older adults, and those with asthma.
- Several new source orientated SO2 monitors were installed in 2016 and 2017, causing the increase in the statewide one-hour SO2 design value.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas that is emitted into the air from cars, trucks, and other combustion processes.
- CO reduces the amount of oxygen delivered into your body and can cause death at high levels.
- CO in Texas has decreased by 76% (one-hour CO) and 72% (eight-hour CO) over the last 22 years.
- Lead (Pb) pollution is emitted directly from industrial sources or lead-containing fuels.
- Lead exposure can lead to neurological, cardiovascular, and other health effects.
- The lead design value for the Frisco Eubanks monitor, closest to the former Exide Frisco Recycling Center, has decreased 89% from the year of the center’s closing (2012) through 2021.