What is air pollution?
Air is primarily oxygen, nitrogen, and small amounts of other
gases. Air pollution develops when human activity and natural
sources affect this gaseous mix. Three main sources pollute these
gases:
- Sources that don’t move: these include factories,
refineries, and power plants. These are called point sources
because they can be traced to a single point or location.
- Sources that do move: these include cars, construction
equipment, lawn mowers, all terrain vehicles, and boats. These are
called mobile or nonpoint sources because the cannot be
traced to a single point or location.
- Sources that grow naturally: these include trees and
grass and flowers. They are called biogenic sources.
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What pollutes the air in Texas?
In Texas, the pollutants we are most concerned about are
nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), and ground-level ozone (formed when NOx and VOCs react on hot, sunny days).
NOx is usually a by-product of
high-temperature combustion. Common sources are cars and power
plants. VOCs include organic chemicals that vaporize easily, such
as gasoline.
In addition to NOx, VOCs, and
ground-level ozone, air contains particulate matter—tiny bits
of dust, ash, and other materials. When you see a dust cloud, you
are actually seeing particulate matter. Much of it is so small that
you can't see it, but you can see its effect. A red sunrise or
sunset is caused by the matter in the air bending the sunlight
toward the red end of the light spectrum. It’s beautiful, but
it also indicates that the air is not really clean.
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How serious is air pollution in Texas?
Many areas in Texas are facing the challenge of improving their
air quality. Some places are coming under increasing
regulation because of the increased air pollution. These areas
are called nonattainment areas. Areas that are close to
coming under increased regulation are called near
nonattainment areas.
Read more about Nonattainment and
Near Nonattainment Areas in Texas.
Why should you care about the air?
If you live in a nonattainment or near nonattainment area, it is
very important that you reduce your contribution to air
pollution.
High concentrations of ground-level ozone can cause shortness of
breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and throat and lung
irritation. People who suffer from lung diseases such as
bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, asthma, and colds have even more
trouble breathing when the air is polluted. These effects can be
worse for anyone who spends a lot of time exercising or working
outdoors. When you exercise heavily, you may increase your intake
of air by as much at 10 times your level at rest.
Children are at increased risk for developing respiratory
problems caused by ozone. Their lungs are still developing, and
they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air pollution per pound
of body weight than adults.
Read more about the health hazards
of ozone.
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What can you do about air pollution?
Cars are a significant source of air pollution. Thinking about
where, when, why, and how you are driving can help you change your
driving habits.
Learn more from Drive Clean Across
Texas. 
Changing your driving habits is part of the solution, but not
the whole solution. Other things we do cause air pollution. Doing
yard work with gasoline-powered mowers, edgers, and leaf blowers
contributes significantly to air pollution. Engines in boats and
all-terrain vehicles do not have the pollution-control features
that car engines do.
Reduce pollution from small
(non-automotive) gasoline engines.
Conserving power can be an important part of preventing air
pollution. In Texas, much of our electricity comes from power
plants that burn coal or oil for fuel. These types of fuel
contribute to air pollution. The more electricity we use to run our
homes and businesses, the more fuel is burned, and the more air
pollution we create.
Read more about conserving
energy.
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