Fresh Air News
Fall 2022
What is the Clean Air Force of Central Texas?
We work to keep Central Texas’ Air Healthy
Did you know that Austin is the ONLY large city in America that has always met the EPA’s National Air Quality Standards and never fallen out of attainment? The region is not just lucky. The Clean Air Force of Central Texas works hard to keep air pollution under control and air clean!
Founded in 1993, the CLEAN AIR Force of Central Texas is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to working with industry, government, and organizations to safeguard and improve air quality in Central Texas. We are a collaborative resource advocating for clean air in Central Texas, from San Antonio to Waco. We look to inform, educate, and promote proactive air pollution-reducing activities in Central Texas.
Place an Air Sensor at Your Child’s School
We have 30 air sensors we want to place in schools throughout Central Texas. Would you like one at your child’s school?
Through the generous support of Clean Air Partners Austin FC | Atlas and Air Central Texas/Capital Area Council of Governments, we have PurpleAir particulate sensors we can install at schools at no charge. We will also provide the teachers with an Air Quality Teaching Module to help the children better understand the importance of air quality.
Why Particulate Matter Sensors?
The Be Air Smart School Sensor Program uses PurpleAir Particulate Matter sensors. These sensors measure ultra-fine particles that are 2.5 microns or less. That’s tiny! These particles are only about 1/30th the width of a human hair. This pollution comes from natural sources, such as trees and the soil, but is more often caused by diesel trucks, buses, and construction projects. Children are susceptible to particulate matter pollution, as their lungs are still in development. Placing a sensor at a school will help parents and teachers recognize if there is a problem with the air surrounding the school and neighborhood.
How the Sensors Work
The sensors are installed outside, typically on a pole or the side of the school building. They must be able to be plugged into 110 power, so an exterior outlet has to be nearby. They also must connect to the Internet, so they need access to Wi-Fi. Once installed, they will provide constant real-time readouts sent via the Internet to a map on the PurpleAir website.
Students, teachers, and community members can check the PurpleAir website to find the readings for their sensor. Students can use the sensors’ data to compare their air quality with other areas of the city or region.
If your school would like a sensor, email jstephens@cleanairforce.org and we can set up a time to discuss the details. There is no charge to the school or teachers for the sensor. Sensors have been donated by Air Central Texas, a unit of the Capital Area Council of Governments, and Austin FC | Atlas.
What’s Up with all these Ozone Actions Days?
25 so far. That is the number of Ozone Action Days called by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) since Mar. 1, when Ozone Season began.
This is NOT normal! Normal is 3 or 4 per year. In 2022 we have had as many Ozone Action Days as the previous eight years COMBINED!
So what is going on in 2022?
What has changed?
So what is going on in 2022? A bundle of factors has contributed to our poor air quality this summer, with excessive heat, drought conditions, and little wind as the main culprits.
Without cleansing and cooling rain, ozone formation can occur rapidly. When high pressure dominates, the air stagnates, and the wind stops blowing. This creates ideal conditions for the chemical reactions that produce ozone. And virtually every day, this ozone season has been suitable for ozone formation. The hot, dry weather has also contributed to many more wildfires, adding multiple pollutants. The rapid growth of the region — some 116 net new residents every day in Austin alone, according to the Census Bureau, may be a contributing factor. Still, it is harder to quantify how much impact these new folks have had.
How does the TCEQ determine if an Ozone Action Day (OZAD) should be called?
An Action Day is a prediction or forecast. Based on their sensors and monitors spread through the region and looking at air modeling, the TCEQ forecasts the likelihood of high ozone Formation the next day. The next day may or may not turn out to reach unhealthy levels, but an Action Day is declared so industry and the public can act by taking steps to curtail certain ozone-producing activities.
How do OZADs relate to air quality & compliance with EPA standards?
There is a direct connection between high ozone levels and the region’s ability to remain in “attainment” with federal clean air standards. It is not so much the number of days an Ozone Action Day is called, but more the days when ozone exceeds the air standards set by the EPA, as measured by the official EPA monitoring stations.
What Can We Do About It?
A lot, actually. While individual effort may not account for much by itself, the combined effort of 1.2 million Central Texas will positively impact and reduce air pollution. Read more about steps you can take in our article, “Positive Action Will Reduce Negative Air Quality.”
Positive Action Will Reduce Negative Air Quality
Do you know what to do when an Ozone Action Day is announced?
Start by making sure you are aware of them. Sign up for our free Ozone Alert emails, and be prepared to take action!
To sign up for Ozone Action Day alerts, visit our home page and click the bright blue “Sign UP for Ozone Action Alerts” button. Visit our “Texas Top Ten” page and get pointers on 10 simple things you can do when an Ozone Action Day is announced.
Working together, we can make a difference!
We can collectively make a difference if we all do them and take action. When multiplied by the 1.2 million people who live in Central Texas, individual efforts will help reduce pollution on Ozone Action Days
What are some of the “Texas Top Ten” steps I can take?
Transportation creates 40% of our area’s pollution. Staying off the road, or reducing the number of trips you take, makes a big difference.
- Telecommute and work from home if your employer allows it
- Combine errands or avoid them on Ozone Action Days
- Bike or walk instead of driving
- Don’t idle the vehicle. Idling is a significant air pollution source. Get out and go instead.
- Consider a hybrid or electric car. It will save money and cut down on pollution.
Austin ISD Commits to Full Electric Bus Fleet by 2035
The Austin Independent School District is the first district in Texas to commit to the complete electrification of its bus fleet. By 2035 all 500+ buses will be electric.
This is a significant environmental commitment by the District’s board and leadership and was brought about by community environmental groups, including the Clean Air Force of Central Texas, encouraging the District to take this action.
Diesel exhaust is internationally recognized as a cancer-causing agent and classified as a likely carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In a study of 61 million people in 2015, researchers found that exposure to diesel soot and ground-level ozone created by diesel exhaust was linked to higher mortality rates. A study from the Brookings Institute analyzed 2,656 school bus retrofits in Georgia, reducing harmful emissions by 95%. Researchers saw significant improvements in students’ respiratory health, with twice the benefit for elementary students, whose younger age increases their vulnerability. The study also found strong evidence of academic improvements after the change, most significantly noted in English test scores.
Electric buses, although far more expensive to purchase initially ($375,000 vs. $100,000 for a diesel bus), save money in the long run, significantly reducing operating and maintenance costs. They also tend to be more reliable, breaking down much less often.
We applaud AISD for this significant step and encourage all school districts in Central to look into electrifying their bus fleets.
Meet Our 2022 Clean Air Champions
On Nov. 2, we honored our 2022 Clean Air Champions. These are individuals and employers who are making a significant difference by working to improve air quality in Central Texas. Meet our three award winners:
- Clean Air Hero: Anton Cox, Capital Area Council of Governments
- Innovation Solutions Award: Austin Independent School District
- Partner of the Year: Emerson Automation Solutions
More about our award winners:
Anton Cox is our 2022 Clean Air Hero. This award recognizes individual accomplishments in helping maintain healthy air quality in our region. Anton is the Air Quality Program Manager for the Capital Area Council of Governments and a tireless champion for Central Texas Air Quality. He serves on our Board of Directors and is a frequent expert presenter on regional air quality at our Air Quality Professionals Forum and Board Meetings. Top left photo l. to r.: Anton Cox, Award presenter Brett Davis.
Austin Independent School District is our 2022 Innovation Solutions Award winner. The Austin ISD partnered with the Clean Air Force to place 12 Particulate Matter Sensors in elementary and middle schools throughout the district. Director of Sustainability Darien Clary and former environmental safety foreman Rebecca Cohen led this effort. Darien and Rebecca worked with the Clean Air Force to identify schools and install the sensors. Darien serves on our Board of Directors and continues to work with us for additional sensor placements in the District. Top right photo, l. to r., Award Presenter Adele Noel, and accepting are Darien Clary (center) and Rebecca Cohen.
Emerson Automation Solutions is our 2022 Partner of the Year. Emerson’s air quality efforts in our region are led by Melissa Reynolds, Global Director of EHS, Systems, and Solutions. Emerson has committed to a 25% reduction in Green House Gases (GHG) by 2030 and net zero by 2035. Melissa is vice-chair of the Clean Air Force Board of Directors and is fully committed to our mission and goals of Clean Air for All in Central Texas. Bottom left photo, l. to r.: Regina Wills, Micha Allbritton, Melissa Reynolds, and William Vaughan.
You Can Help Us!
The Clean Air Force is part of the Amazon Smile program. If you designate us as your charity of choice, you can help keep our air clean every time you order from Amazon! There is no extra cost to you at all! We also participate in the Randall’s Supermarkets Good Neighbor Program.
Four ways to help keep our air clean
- Encourage your company/workplace to become a Clean Air Partner
- Volunteer at our special events
- Donate to offset our expenses
- Designate the Clean Air Force of Central Texas as your “Amazon Smile” or “Randall’s Good Neighbor” recipient. A percentage of each purchase will be donated to us at no additional cost to you. Let us know if you need help on how to do this.
P.O. Box 29295
Austin, TX 78755
CONNECT WITH US
