"This final air quality standard will save lives and make all people healthier, especially within America's most vulnerable and overburdened communities," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said.
The takeaway
There are 10 Texas counties that do not meet the revised annual levels based on 2020-22 air quality monitoring data from the EPA, including in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas.
- Bowie County
- Cameron County
- Dallas County
- El Paso County
- Harris County
- Hidalgo County
- Kleberg County
- Tarrant County
- Travis County
- Webb County
Several U.S. counties are projected to meet the more protective standard in 2032, which is likely the earliest year states would need to meet the revised standard, according to the EPA. However, the EPA predicts Harris, Travis and Hidalgo counties will not be able to meet the new standards by 2032.
The gist
- The national, annual air quality standard for fine particulate matter exposure was lowered from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter.
- For reference, the World Health Organization's guidelines for annual air pollution level of exposure is 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
- Fine particulate matter is a mixture of various particles such as dust, dirt, soot and smoke emitted by industrial facilities, vehicles, construction sites, fires or unpaved roads, according to environment officials from Air Alliance Houston.
In their own words
Officials throughout Texas are weighing in on the EPA's new national air pollution standards.
Travis County officials said in an email, when it comes to taking proactive steps to ensure the Central Texas region remains in EPA standards, even as such standards have become "increasingly stringent," that they are leaders in such efforts.
"At this time, we do not know when or even if Travis County will be designated as nonattainment for [fine particulate matter]. We will wait for EPA to make that determination. In the meantime, Travis County will continue working with the Clean Air Coalition and other governmental entities to continue adopting and developing strategies to reduce [fine particulate matter] in Central Texas," said Hector Nieto, director of the Travis County Public Information Office.
Austin officials announced Feb. 7 the $1 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the EPA that will be used to develop plans aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution, according to the city's website.
- According to the news release, Austin officials will collaborate with partners across the region to develop climate action strategies to benefit the Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown metropolitan areas.
- The upcoming event regarding the announcement with the EPA, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and other state officials is slated to take place at Austin City Hall on Feb. 12.
"The grant is funding regional climate planning efforts, building off of Austin's existing Climate Equity Plan, including the hiring of staff to help get it done," Stewart said.
Tarrant County officials within the Fort Worth jurisdiction signed a letter of support for the North Central Texas Council of Governments' Air Quality Improvement plan. The survey period is in its finishing stages with results set to be released in March. Yet, not all Tarrant County officials are in agreement with the news coming from the EPA.
“The weaponization of federal agencies by the Biden Administration knows no bounds. November can’t get here soon enough," Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare said.
Harris County Public Health Director Barbie Robinson said the conversation must focus on improving public health by protecting our environment.
"First, we must make a collective effort and be committed to addressing these issues. This will take everyone, including policymakers, industry professionals, community partners, health care and public health. Leadership from all groups must make a concerted effort to improve environmental conditions and address the health disparities caused or exacerbated by air pollution," Robinson said.
Achieving new air pollution exposure standards will be a challenge for many cities and countries, according to a 2021 news release by the World Health Organization, due to the amount of sunny days when ozone concentrations reach their highest levels, leading to respiratory problems and asthma attacks.
"The lower the levels, the better. More lives are protected," said Inyang Uwak, Air Alliance Houston's research and policy director.
Why it matters
According to a 2017 report of the Global Burden of Disease Study by the National Library of Medicine:
- Exposure to ambient air pollution increased mortality and shortened life expectancy from cardiovascular and respiratory disease as well as lung cancer.
- NLM officials estimated long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution caused 4.2 million deaths and 103.1 million lost years of life in 2015, which represented 7.6% of total global mortality.
Adverse health effects caused by air pollution are reoccurring issues for several Baytown residents living in east Harris County. At a Feb. 5 public meeting between residents and officials from the Exxon Mobil Corporation and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, residents filed in long lines to share instances when family members fell ill or when they filed complaints due to suspicious odors outside their homes.
Exxon officials reassured residents at the meeting that their Baytown petrochemical facility operates in full compliance with TCEQ standards and that their data is available to the public. Baytown resident Shirley Williams said she bought her house in the late '90s before all eight industrial facilities were built.
"Ya'll are killing us, slowly and silently," Williams said.
Katy McAfee, Ben Thompson and Miranda Jaimes contributed to this report.
