The City of Austin's Air Quality Program aims to promote healthy outdoor air for our community. We do this by teaming up with regional partners to address the air quality concerns that impact all of us. This effort is coordinated through the Capital Area Council of Governments’ Air Central Texas initiative.
Ozone Action Days
In the Austin region, we generally have good air quality. However, as we approach summer, we sometimes have days when the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. This is because warm, sunny days with light winds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is bad for your lungs. These days are called Ozone Action Days, and we typically have about 5-10 of them each ozone season.
When we are having an Ozone Action Day, everyone needs to pitch in and do their part by driving less, reducing car idling, and conserving energy. If you are sensitive to ozone pollution, you are encouraged to limit outdoor activity on these days.
Take action to protect our air
A big part of protecting our air means choosing sustainable transportation options when possible. To learn more about how to get around town sustainably, visit Get There ATX. To switch up your commute or find a carpool buddy, check out Commute Solutions. You can learn even more ways to protect Austin’s clear blue skies here.