Air quality is not usually a large concern for most people in Austin, but new numbers show that ozone pollution has reached dangerous levels.
“We’re no Houston or Dallas. Those cities are ranked as some of the most polluted in the nation,” said Luke Metzger, founder and director of Environment Texas. “But we’re just right on the line of failing federal health standards for air quality.”
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High levels of this pollutant can be a serious health risk – especially for people with respiratory problems.
“That’s especially troublesome for the 18,000 kids in Travis County who suffer from asthma,” Metzger said.
Measures currently being taken to reduce ozone pollution include stricter enforcement of up-to-date vehicle inspection stickers, public transportation improvements, and city planning that reduces commute times.
But some environmental groups want the EPA to put in place even tighter restrictions when they update the rules next year, saying that even the current ozone limit is too high.
“Lowering those standards could save about 12,000 lives a year,” Metzger said. “It’s a matter of life and death.”
