News Summary
Austin has been identified as the 39th most polluted metro area in the United States by the American Lung Association, a drop from last year’s 54th position. The report highlighted rising smog levels in the region, particularly affecting Travis County, which received an ‘F’ rating for air quality. Experts warn of the severe health implications of such pollution, particularly for vulnerable populations. As Texas continues to face air quality challenges, public health advisories are in effect for Austin and other cities due to high ozone levels.
Austin has seen a significant decline in air quality, as the city has been ranked as the 39th most polluted metro area in the United States, according to the latest report from the American Lung Association. This position marks a notable jump from last year’s 54th place ranking. The “State of the Air” report analyzed pollution levels in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos region, focusing on smog (ground-level ozone) and soot levels (particle pollution) for the years between 2021 and 2023.
In particular, the region’s smog levels were noted as the 46th worst nationally, with Travis County experiencing especially detrimental air quality. In fact, Travis County received an “F” rating, categorizing it as having 7.7 unhealthy air days this year, a marked increase from 2.3 days the previous year. Although the short-term particle pollution ratings showed a slight improvement—Travis County ranked 156th this year compared to 101st in 2024—there were still .7 unhealthy days reported.
Health Implications of Poor Air Quality
The growing air pollution levels have raised alarms regarding public health, particularly among vulnerable populations. Experts have indicated that air pollution is driving health issues, including asthma attacks in children, serious illnesses among outdoor workers, and low birth weights in infants.
Texas Air Quality Challenges
Austin is not alone in facing air pollution challenges. Several counties in Texas have also received “F” ratings due to high ozone levels, including:
- Harris County: 34.9 unhealthy days
- Denton County: 25.5 unhealthy days
- Tarrant County: 21.5 unhealthy days
In addition, multiple Texas cities rank among the top 25 areas for poor ozone levels, with notably high pollution in:
- Houston-Pasadena: 7th worst
- Dallas-Fort Worth: 10th worst
- San Antonio-New Braunfels: 20th worst
National Context
On a broader scale, nearly half of the U.S. population resides in regions where air pollution received a failing grade. The most polluted areas for ozone levels are primarily located in California, with Los Angeles-Long Beach topping the list, followed by Visalia and Bakersfield-Delano. For particle pollution, Bakersfield-Delano ranks first, with Visalia and Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran following closely.
Current Alerts and Public Health Advisories
As Air Quality Awareness Week approaches, a major ozone alert is currently in effect for several Texas cities, including Austin, due to forecasted pollution levels deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated that large areas of Texas could fall into the “orange zone” for pollution levels. Sensitive populations such as children and older adults are advised to limit outdoor activities during this period.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued Ozone Action Day alerts for several metropolitan areas, identifying days when ozone levels are likely to exceed 100 on the EPA’s Air Quality Index. These alerts emphasize the importance of reducing outdoor activity and emissions on high ozone days, particularly in cities like Austin and Houston, where weather conditions have contributed to increasing air pollution due to strong sunlight and stagnant atmospheric conditions.
Austin’s Environmental Efforts
In light of these challenges, Austin recently released its annual State of the Environment Report on Earth Day. The report outlined both improvements and ongoing challenges in air quality, noting a slight decrease in unhealthy ozone and particulate matter days but also highlighting an increase in severity compared to the previous year. The city has made strides in environmental protection, acquiring an additional 784 acres through its Water Quality Protection Lands program and restoring 1,673 acres of native grassland savanna.
Despite challenges related to parkland acquisition, Austin has reported a net gain in parkland, enhancing access for residents. The city’s urban forest comprises over 12 million trees, which provide significant benefits to air quality and overall ecosystem health. Community greenhouse gas emissions have declined since 2011, even with population growth, while the city has secured $242 million in federal funding to support sustainable practices such as solar energy and electric vehicle infrastructure.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE: Austin Air Quality Report
- Wikipedia: Air Pollution
- Newsweek: Texas Air Quality Map
- Google Search: Texas Air Quality 2025
- Austin American-Statesman: Air Quality Index
- Google Scholar: Austin Air Quality Health Impacts
- CBS Austin: Air Pollution Restrictions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air Pollution Impacts
- Austin Monitor: State of the Environment Report
- Google News: Austin Air Pollution 2025
