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Airborne Particulates

Particle pollution (also called particulate matter or PM) is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small, they can only be detected using an electron microscope. Particle pollution includes inhalable coarse particles, with diameters larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers and fine particles, with diameters that are 2.5 micrometers and smaller. How small is 2.5 micrometers? Think about a single hair from your head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter -- making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle. These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some particles, known as primary particles, are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires. Others form in complicated reactions in the atmosphere of chemicals such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides that are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. These particles, known as secondary particles, make up most of the fine particle pollution in the country.

This information is updated hourly. All times shown are Local Standard Time.

Click here for a map showing the current PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) levels.

Click here for a map showing the current PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable levels.

Click here for a map showing the current PM-10 (Standard Conditions) levels.

Click here for the current Air Quality Index.

PM-2.5 (Local Conditions)

Fine particulates (PM-2.5) are generally emitted from activities such as industrial and residential combustion and from vehicle exhaust. Fine particles are also formed in the atmosphere when gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, emitted by combustion activities, are transformed by chemical reactions in the air. Large-scale agricultural burning or sand storms can produce huge volumes of fine particulates. PM-2.5 data is the near real-time measurement of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in size from the surrounding air. This measurement is made at local conditions, and is not corrected for temperature or pressure.

The table below contains hourly averages for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

         
Select a Region:
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Amarillo - all times are in Central Standard Time
1025 4.62.311.59.48.19.36.414.217.025.0 FEW NA1 N 1025
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Lubbock - all times are in Central Standard Time
1028 8.18.76.98.08.95.27.05.46.96.9 FEW NA1 N 1028
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Dallas-Fort Worth - all times are in Central Standard Time
13 9.07.08.05.05.03.02.02.05.09.0 FEW NA3 N 13
56 11.07.06.08.07.04.05.07.010.016.0 FEW NA1 N 56
71 5.16.35.65.33.16.14.46.98.96.0 FEW NA1 N 71
310 8.37.76.54.83.23.94.89.18.84.0 FEW NA2 N 310
312 5.15.96.17.18.06.46.82.06.89.6 FEW NA3 N 312
1051 3.93.27.85.13.35.12.35.13.6 PMA LIM NA1 N 1051
1053 5.57.03.74.64.25.06.87.54.08.3 FEW NA2 N 1053
4.87.14.03.15.98.65.210.36.57.1 FEW NA3 N
1096 7.77.57.26.97.07.48.78.59.09.18.8 FEW1 N 1096
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Tyler-Longview-Marshall - all times are in Central Standard Time
85 PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA NA2 N 85
1031 11.98.511.210.68.98.47.410.38.310.3 FEW NA2 N 1031
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
El Paso-Juarez - all times are in Mountain Standard Time
37 4.08.03.01.07.06.05.05.010.0 FEW NA NA4 N 37
41 15.210.19.28.77.57.98.99.79.79.3 FEW NA6 N 41
49 7.93.74.25.16.78.910.37.69.110.2 FEW NA5 N 49
9.84.25.26.18.311.112.69.311.312.8 FEW NA6 N
72 -2.01.9-3.3-0.80.00.41.3-1.31.4 FEW NA NA3 N 72
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Odessa-Midland - all times are in Central Standard Time
1014 11.49.36.17.210.86.110.711.211.57.5 FEW NA1 N 1014
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Waco - all times are in Central Standard Time
1045 -0.26.27.33.17.63.52.44.33.99.3 FEW NA1 1045
1086 2.03.02.05.02.05.05.09.09.016.0 FEW NA1 N 1086
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Beaumont-Port Arthur - all times are in Central Standard Time
64 5.52.02.13.92.16.54.26.57.811.5 FEW NA2 N 64
303 67.20.70.30.00.30.863.82.81.20.7 FEW NA4 N 303
3.01.04.04.04.02.0-1.012.08.06.0 FEW NA6 N
642 1.32.73.4-0.77.85.92.35.64.22.0 FEW NA1 N 642
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Austin - all times are in Central Standard Time
3 6.07.0 LIM6.07.07.05.012.010.010.0 FEW NA1 N 3
38 4.23.82.24.81.96.3-1.63.21.91.6 FEW NA7 N 38
171 6.06.87.66.35.85.86.06.56.36.86.7 FEW4 N 171
614 5.63.44.72.54.53.62.93.15.27.03.7 FEW1 N 614
690 2.43.53.02.44.14.81.14.31.55.68.9 FEW1 N 690
1068 PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA NA2 N 1068
1604 5.34.06.25.03.84.43.03.9-1.64.96.9 FEW1 N 1604
1612 5.13.62.13.54.06.20.25.97.12.94.8 FEW1 N 1612
1629 1.20.14.24.85.65.75.37.08.18.96.0 FEW1 N 1629
1633 3.56.15.95.13.81.45.45.12.25.5 FEW NA1 N 1633
1675 7.23.20.74.53.84.73.27.02.73.25.2 FEW1 N 1675
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
1 11.05.47.70.03.16.07.27.36.911.6 FEW NA1 N 1
8 7.07.89.53.12.97.14.37.98.410.2 FEW NA4 N 8
35 5.95.75.45.14.94.95.55.56.16.26.2 FEW6 N 35
45 LST LST LST LST LST LST LST2.84.06.4 FEW NA1 N 45
53 5.24.22.34.82.30.52.46.56.40.5 FEW NA1 N 53
78 7.85.97.15.48.54.50.8 QAS1.92.5 FEW NA1 N 78
148 6.24.75.03.25.16.47.112.94.413.1 FEW NA2 N 148
403 9.07.56.15.26.210.411.112.112.511.811.2 FEW4 N 403
405 6.39.37.47.08.413.38.73.30.010.2 FEW NA1 N 405
410 7.25.07.84.94.94.72.46.63.28.4 FEW NA1 N 410
1034 4.85.96.26.04.38.50.82.94.27.2 FEW NA2 N 1034
1052 5.96.06.47.111.39.29.012.216.212.9 FEW NA2 N 1052
1056 5.96.46.44.42.94.03.86.44.88.8 FEW NA1 N 1056
1099 11.75.84.64.24.54.56.85.85.85.55.4 FEW1 N 1099
1607 PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA1 N 1607
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
San Antonio - all times are in Central Standard Time
23 3.03.06.02.05.0 QAS NEG9.010.010.0 FEW NA2 23
59 3.00.71.44.62.44.76.37.85.06.8 FEW NA2 N 59
677 6.46.07.54.45.65.23.4 QAS NEG10.3 FEW NA1 N 677
1069 5.06.08.05.08.06.02.013.013.08.0 FEW NA2 N 1069
1087 5.25.55.04.84.84.85.05.86.16.06.3 FEW2 N 1087
1090 7.27.74.93.216.02.13.38.78.57.6 FEW NA1 1090
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Corpus Christi-Victoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
98 7.64.28.06.711.813.93.36.25.58.5 FEW NA3 N 98
3.12.91.36.45.48.46.810.311.612.3 FEW NA4 N
635 4.74.85.05.45.86.37.07.57.37.27.4 FEW3 N 635
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Lower Rio Grande Valley - all times are in Central Standard Time
43 8.48.96.76.67.26.56.97.211.010.39.5 FEW5 N 43
323 5.04.05.010.07.08.06.012.016.07.0 FEW NA1 N 323
1046 7.44.65.86.09.14.63.98.25.47.4 FEW NA2 N 1046
1098 5.04.05.07.07.07.04.011.011.010.0 FEW NA1 N 1098
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Laredo - all times are in Central Standard Time
313 9.56.810.55.87.010.311.39.49.810.5 FEW NA1 N 313
319 4.26.19.710.55.32.93.69.19.013.0 FEW NA1 N 319
Maximum values for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) for the day are bold within the table.
PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (local conditions)
 N - Data from this instrument does not meet EPA quality assurance criteria and cannot be used for regulatory purposes.


PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable

Fine particulates (PM-2.5) are generally emitted from activities such as industrial and residential combustion and from vehicle exhaust. Fine particles are also formed in the atmosphere when gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, emitted by combustion activities, are transformed by chemical reactions in the air. Large-scale agricultural burning or sand storms can produce huge volumes of fine particulates. PM-2.5 data is the near real-time measurement of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in size from the surrounding air. This measurement is made at local conditions, and is not corrected for temperature or pressure.

The table below contains hourly averages for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

         
Select a Region:
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Waco - all times are in Central Standard Time
1037 8.17.87.87.87.77.26.84.24.04.84.3 FEW3 1037
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
San Antonio - all times are in Central Standard Time
622 8.97.27.07.27.37.97.56.76.06.56.1 FEW3 622
1088 PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA1 1088
1091 6.24.24.85.34.43.84.54.63.95.55.3 FEW1 1091
Maximum values for PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable for the day are bold within the table.
PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (local conditions)


PM-10 (Standard Conditions)

Coarse particulates (PM-10) come from sources such as windblown dust from the desert or agricultural fields (sand storms) and dust kicked up on unpaved roads by vehicle traffic. PM-10 data is the near real-time measurement of particulate matter 10 microns or less in size from the surrounding air. This measurement is made at standard conditions, meaning it is corrected for local temperature and pressure.

The table below contains hourly averages for PM-10 (Standard Conditions) on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

         
Select a Region:
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Dallas-Fort Worth - all times are in Central Standard Time
1096 21.919.519.820.722.023.137.731.428.429.029.0 FEW2 N 1096
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
El Paso-Juarez - all times are in Mountain Standard Time
41 163.947.735.739.030.633.040.945.950.138.5 FEW NA6 N 41
49 58.218.020.929.950.685.088.243.464.381.6 FEW NA5 N 49
414 61.226.720.128.124.725.027.034.545.847.9 FEW NA2 N 414
693 33.532.531.728.028.330.027.424.723.128.9 FEW NA2 N 693
1021 51.658.052.146.635.428.124.125.628.733.8 FEW NA3 N 1021
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Austin - all times are in Central Standard Time
171 15.914.215.214.614.014.817.721.420.319.919.9 FEW4 N 171
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
35 13.813.512.412.411.112.113.113.216.115.316.9 FEW6 N 35
403 44.240.526.321.933.272.783.2101.9106.992.486.8 FEW4 N 403
405 15.815.115.117.725.759.736.031.520.716.916.8 FEW2 N 405
1099 21.512.810.29.810.911.824.620.613.814.115.2 FEW1 N 1099
1607 PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA PMA1 N 1607
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
San Antonio - all times are in Central Standard Time
1087 16.124.514.214.414.413.915.123.729.223.624.9 FEW2 N 1087
1088 12.39.310.110.513.618.626.915.510.710.310.7 FEW2 N 1088
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Corpus Christi-Victoria - all times are in Central Standard Time
635 11.813.413.813.816.719.121.321.224.125.920.8 FEW3 N 635
AreaCAMSMorningPOCCAMS
Mid 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:0010:0011:00
Lower Rio Grande Valley - all times are in Central Standard Time
43 17.319.214.113.615.513.815.320.730.536.053.8 FEW5 N 43
Maximum values for PM-10 (Standard Conditions) for the day are bold within the table.
PM-10 (Standard Conditions) is measured in ug/cu meter (25 c)
 N - Data from this instrument does not meet EPA quality assurance criteria and cannot be used for regulatory purposes.


PLEASE NOTE:  This data has not been verified by the TCEQ and may change. This is the most current data, but it is not official until it has been certified by our technical staff. Data is collected from TCEQ ambient monitoring sites and may include data collected by other outside agencies. This data is updated hourly. All times shown are in local standard time unless otherwise indicated.

Following EPA reporting guidelines, negative values may be displayed in our hourly criteria air quality data, down to the negative of the EPA listed Method Detection Limit (MDL) for the particular instrument that made the measurements. The reported concentrations can be negative due to zero drift in the electronic instrument output, data logger channel, or calibration adjustments to the data. Prior to 1/1/2013, slightly negative values were automatically set to zero.