| The Houston Air Quality Index Report is the most convenient way to quickly review the status of air pollution across the region. The
Air Quality Index is the official system established by the US Environmental Protection Agency for rating air pollution.
Maps are another way to quickly review the status of air pollution across the region. The fastest and most accurate option is a
map of current ozone air pollution levels
. Another option is a
regional animation
of the day's ozone air pollution levels - this
shows how air pollution moves across the region,
but it takes longer to download and its accuracy
is limited because there is not enough data to
be certain of air pollution levels in every part
of the region. Fewer resources are available to learn about levels of fine particulates. A
statewide map
provides current data, and the hourly fine particulate levels are provided in a table. To obtain a detailed report of measured air pollution levels in the Houston region, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality maintains
hourly average data
for all pollutants as well as weather conditions. Please read the explanation of how the time is presented in this report - the data may be appear more than two hours old, due to the way that time is displayed, even when the data are as recent as technically possible.
Traveling? Check out the EPA's AirNow , with forecasts and air quality reports for the entire country. |
The US EPA has a number of publications describing the health effects of air pollution.
The American Lung Association provides fact sheets and a reference website for studies related to the national standards for air
quality.
Mothers for Clean Air provides this guide for people with respiratory sensitivities, Managing asthma and ozone in the Houston area [pdf].
|
If you have general questions or comments about this website, contact Matt Van Vleck at 713-920-2831 To report unusual odors or smoke, call the number where the smell or smoke is located:
- Harris County :
(713) 920-2831
-
City of Houston :
(713) 640-4200 -
Galveston County
:
(409) 938-2251
- Outside Harris and Galveston Counties (TCEQ): (713) 767-3700
To report smoking vehicles, call 1-800-453-SMOG, send a fax to 512-239-2050, e-mail smog@tnrcc.state.tx.us, or use the online reporting form at http://www.smokingvehicle.org/ . Vehicle owners will be notified and encouraged to make necessary repairs voluntarily.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is responsible for the state's air quality monitoring, planning, research and enforcement programs. |
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