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Airborne Particulates

Particle pollution (also called particulate matter or PM) is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small, they can only be detected using an electron microscope. Particle pollution includes inhalable coarse particles, with diameters larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers and fine particles, with diameters that are 2.5 micrometers and smaller. How small is 2.5 micrometers? Think about a single hair from your head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter -- making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle. These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some particles, known as primary particles, are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires. Others form in complicated reactions in the atmosphere of chemicals such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides that are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. These particles, known as secondary particles, make up most of the fine particle pollution in the country.

This information is updated hourly. All times shown are Local Standard Time.

Click here for a map showing the current PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) levels.

Click here for a map showing the current PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable levels.

Click here for a map showing the current PM-10 (Standard Conditions) levels.

Click here for the current Air Quality Index.

PM-2.5 (Local Conditions)

Fine particulates (PM-2.5) are generally emitted from activities such as industrial and residential combustion and from vehicle exhaust. Fine particles are also formed in the atmosphere when gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, emitted by combustion activities, are transformed by chemical reactions in the air. Large-scale agricultural burning or sand storms can produce huge volumes of fine particulates. PM-2.5 data is the near real-time measurement of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in size from the surrounding air. This measurement is made at local conditions, and is not corrected for temperature or pressure.

The table below contains hourly averages for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

         
Select a Region:
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Amarillo - all times are in Central Standard Time
320 4.07.03.02.011.03.02.0-6.03.04.07.04.01.06.08.08.07.06.02.02.0 NA NA2 N 320
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Lubbock - all times are in Central Standard Time
1028 6.15.86.78.25.03.15.72.14.42.45.40.50.2-0.33.52.72.43.53.72.9 NA NA1 N 1028
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Dallas-Fort Worth - all times are in Central Standard Time
13 6.04.02.03.06.08.011.012.011.013.07.05.08.011.09.010.08.07.07.010.0 NA NA3 N 13
56 3.09.07.05.08.09.011.011.014.09.08.014.010.016.011.09.03.08.06.07.0 NA NA1 N 56
71 9.06.57.45.34.47.02.61.98.13.18.26.78.83.96.21.16.56.51.96.9 NA NA1 N 71
310 13.08.16.28.07.611.512.213.915.915.95.26.76.48.35.99.610.47.28.113.2 NA NA2 N 310
312 9.412.411.86.19.77.46.012.68.311.616.510.413.29.313.24.812.74.96.610.3 NA NA3 N 312
401 14.017.07.08.08.08.010.09.09.013.017.014.012.010.08.07.08.08.08.09.0 NA NA4 N 401
1051 8.99.06.012.56.65.21.77.78.07.06.07.58.98.14.87.84.38.08.23.4 NA NA1 N 1051
1053 11.05.06.06.06.08.06.013.010.012.06.04.06.08.07.08.08.00.08.08.0 NA NA2 N 1053
11.011.08.08.04.011.011.014.015.018.017.08.013.016.015.010.015.05.06.06.0 NA NA3 N
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Tyler-Longview-Marshall - all times are in Central Standard Time
85 7.08.611.77.15.57.86.08.66.17.98.28.88.47.912.58.99.15.58.77.1 NA NA2 N 85
1031 5.06.06.05.07.07.06.011.014.012.014.013.09.07.08.04.010.09.027.039.0 NA NA2 N 1031
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
El Paso-Juarez - refer to the first data column for each site's specific time zone
MST41 LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM9.07.04.03.03.01.04.04.04.08.0 LST NA NA6 N 41
CST316 9.07.09.09.08.09.09.09.012.013.09.08.011.02.05.013.06.011.07.07.0 NA NA1 N 316
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Odessa-Midland - all times are in Central Standard Time
1014 14.033.032.051.013.08.07.01.012.012.035.018.016.015.08.06.08.05.03.02.0 NA NA1 N 1014
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Waco - all times are in Central Standard Time
1045 3.05.07.06.05.04.03.06.03.08.05.07.06.08.07.09.02.05.04.09.0 NA NA1 1045
1086 12.011.014.07.07.04.02.010.03.00.06.07.012.06.010.06.06.07.03.05.0 NA NA1 N 1086
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Beaumont-Port Arthur - all times are in Central Standard Time
64 13.012.09.014.013.010.011.09.09.0 LIM27.01.013.08.06.013.08.027.056.025.0 NA NA2 N 64
303 16.07.06.09.012.011.08.09.09.04.013.011.010.012.05.08.09.08.07.03.0 NA NA4 N 303
21.19.912.410.212.010.711.26.86.67.77.38.58.310.49.011.412.210.211.913.0 NA NA6 N
642 5.010.011.09.06.011.012.06.013.09.015.010.014.010.07.011.01.09.08.012.0 NA NA1 N 642
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Austin - all times are in Central Standard Time
3 8.06.07.08.011.05.07.05.05.06.08.04.08.012.06.012.010.07.04.03.0 NA NA1 N 3
171 4.010.07.07.07.04.02.04.01.05.09.03.010.08.01.09.04.04.01.04.0 NA NA3 N 171
1068 9.05.05.011.011.06.08.05.03.05.010.08.09.07.0-2.07.04.06.07.09.0 NA NA2 N 1068
1094 8.54.83.59.48.34.06.30.24.411.22.88.26.66.23.48.76.72.61.25.8 NA NA1 N 1094
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
1 13.78.810.48.410.49.710.311.410.57.112.110.212.010.712.79.711.911.87.411.4 NA NA1 N 1
8 5.09.06.05.07.08.08.06.010.07.010.05.07.05.05.010.08.05.03.07.0 NA NA4 N 8
45 12.811.711.521.09.49.46.913.210.110.29.213.613.811.57.37.55.49.95.96.3 NA NA1 N 45
53 13.110.216.612.67.57.37.412.510.310.07.79.312.28.08.57.39.912.210.88.9 NA NA1 N 53
78 12.89.210.611.99.49.815.913.37.95.67.96.25.58.76.85.811.37.87.84.4 NA NA1 N 78
148 12.212.310.513.99.28.98.112.314.36.614.913.511.212.413.38.710.912.210.411.3 NA NA2 N 148
405 10.810.112.87.59.89.19.910.911.011.015.611.411.97.412.513.011.211.98.316.2 NA NA1 N 405
410 16.29.114.410.212.414.612.915.414.18.113.59.19.35.610.012.06.47.68.38.7 NA NA1 N 410
1034 13.06.08.08.013.09.012.016.09.014.04.018.016.09.08.07.011.09.06.013.0 NA NA2 N 1034
1052 19.912.18.57.011.711.27.115.018.410.315.28.014.98.920.814.010.811.77.09.4 NA NA2 N 1052
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
San Antonio - all times are in Central Standard Time
23 13.012.09.08.09.05.07.06.05.06.08.012.05.09.08.010.04.04.02.04.0 NA NA2 23
59 14.711.89.18.76.87.79.93.64.87.26.55.67.73.34.05.45.85.16.82.7 NA NA2 N 59
1069 9.612.110.211.712.48.38.012.48.07.47.27.76.73.46.78.07.33.66.27.5 NA NA2 N 1069
1090 15.016.012.014.012.010.010.010.06.014.05.06.08.09.06.03.06.02.08.0-8.0 NA NA1 1090
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Corpus Christi-Victoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
98 13.05.010.011.017.012.019.015.018.013.014.015.011.06.014.014.010.011.08.09.0 NA NA3 N 98
12.09.017.013.018.011.018.011.019.011.013.019.015.06.014.013.09.010.010.07.0 NA NA4 N
314 11.012.09.09.010.08.06.06.022.010.011.010.08.09.014.010.014.014.010.04.0 NA NA1 N 314
635 9.611.110.513.08.710.913.715.111.710.28.75.98.26.65.311.67.18.39.88.1 NA NA1 N 635
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Lower Rio Grande Valley - all times are in Central Standard Time
80 9.06.06.08.08.09.011.013.013.021.017.020.08.015.015.09.09.011.010.013.0 NA NA2 N 80
323 10.011.015.011.011.015.020.016.019.022.019.014.019.020.025.025.015.027.021.019.0 NA NA1 N 323
1046 11.414.111.912.611.712.714.613.45.76.47.513.216.013.88.710.010.89.410.48.5 NA NA2 N 1046
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Laredo - all times are in Central Standard Time
313 18.818.018.618.221.219.419.626.012.811.24.617.94.68.93.27.35.70.02.57.5 NA NA1 N 313
319 15.914.116.917.15.48.28.47.74.85.85.11.37.98.25.75.64.34.52.42.8 NA NA1 N 319
Maximum values for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) for the day are bold within the table.
PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (local conditions)
 N - Data from this instrument does not meet EPA quality assurance criteria and cannot be used for regulatory purposes.


PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable

Fine particulates (PM-2.5) are generally emitted from activities such as industrial and residential combustion and from vehicle exhaust. Fine particles are also formed in the atmosphere when gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, emitted by combustion activities, are transformed by chemical reactions in the air. Large-scale agricultural burning or sand storms can produce huge volumes of fine particulates. PM-2.5 data is the near real-time measurement of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in size from the surrounding air. This measurement is made at local conditions, and is not corrected for temperature or pressure.

The table below contains hourly averages for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

         
Select a Region:
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Dallas-Fort Worth - all times are in Central Standard Time
1096 LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM LIM1 1096
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
El Paso-Juarez - all times are in Mountain Standard Time
37 94.922.019.320.119.939.525.726.321.615.712.910.810.69.711.414.115.013.915.112.8 NA NA3 37
49 6.25.95.96.34.48.916.316.413.323.810.96.65.35.56.17.16.76.57.64.7 NA NA3 49
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Waco - all times are in Central Standard Time
1037 12.912.613.110.99.310.511.811.812.19.310.37.78.29.48.87.712.613.711.611.011.0 NA3 1037
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
403 9.310.910.710.38.79.710.712.312.813.212.18.310.310.28.17.78.010.210.113.212.3 NA3 403
1626 PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA13.910.19.1 PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA8.416.416.0 NA1 1626
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
San Antonio - all times are in Central Standard Time
622 16.814.711.49.311.512.515.311.76.99.310.07.48.25.76.37.19.510.68.710.113.9 NA3 622
677 13.912.07.88.09.610.410.57.64.85.75.75.14.23.43.65.37.78.67.710.59.4 NA3 677
1087 11.08.64.76.37.39.57.95.34.24.53.95.71.43.13.43.56.06.77.69.27.7 NA1 1087
1088 9.56.55.07.17.69.110.07.65.05.76.55.73.34.34.94.46.99.113.512.36.9 NA1 1088
1091 16.612.69.49.19.110.715.510.33.16.44.63.75.84.33.16.66.78.08.47.18.3 NA1 1091
Maximum values for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable for the day are bold within the table.
PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (local conditions)


PM-10 (Standard Conditions)

Coarse particulates (PM-10) come from sources such as windblown dust from the desert or agricultural fields (sand storms) and dust kicked up on unpaved roads by vehicle traffic. PM-10 data is the near real-time measurement of particulate matter 10 microns or less in size from the surrounding air. This measurement is made at standard conditions, meaning it is corrected for local temperature and pressure.

The table below contains hourly averages for PM-10 (Standard Conditions) on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

         
Select a Region:
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
El Paso-Juarez - all times are in Mountain Standard Time
49 29.424.634.934.526.766.3143.8189.9147.6182.854.446.445.836.040.246.935.129.931.519.1 NA NA4 N 49
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
405 9.69.210.87.612.524.933.030.030.135.239.533.833.748.647.947.239.836.228.834.026.8 NA2 N 405
AreaCAMSMorningAfternoonPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
San Antonio - all times are in Central Standard Time
1088 15.113.110.912.913.322.544.665.346.0102.281.381.677.157.341.244.731.622.938.618.010.4 NA2 N 1088
Maximum values for PM-10 (Standard Conditions) for the day are bold within the table.
PM-10 (Standard Conditions) is measured in ug/cu meter (25 c)
 N - Data from this instrument does not meet EPA quality assurance criteria and cannot be used for regulatory purposes.


PLEASE NOTE:  This data has not been verified by the TCEQ and may change. This is the most current data, but it is not official until it has been certified by our technical staff. Data is collected from TCEQ ambient monitoring sites and may include data collected by other outside agencies. This data is updated hourly. All times shown are in local standard time unless otherwise indicated.

Following EPA reporting guidelines, negative values may be displayed in our hourly criteria air quality data, down to the negative of the EPA listed Method Detection Limit (MDL) for the particular instrument that made the measurements. The reported concentrations can be negative due to zero drift in the electronic instrument output, data logger channel, or calibration adjustments to the data. Prior to 1/1/2013, slightly negative values were automatically set to zero.