Frequently Asked Questions
Indoor Air Quality
The City of Austin's Air Quality Program focuses on outdoor air quality issues. However, we often receive calls from citizens with indoor air quality concerns and do our best to refer callers to the correct agencies. If your question isn't answered below, please let us know, and we'll try to help you.
How do I find out if there's dangerous mold in my house?
Call the Texas Department of Health at (512) 834-6600, or 1-800-293-0573.
Whom should I contact about asbestos concerns?
Call the Texas Department of Health at (512) 834-6600, or 1-800-293-0573.
I think I smell gas in my house. What should I do?
Get out of your house immediately and call 9-1-1. Do not attempt to relight pilot lights, turn on light switches, or call from inside the house (even on a cellular phone).
Where can I call to find out more about carbon monoxide (CO) in my home?
Call the Texas Department of Health at (512) 834-6600, or 1-800-293-0573.
I'm concerned about an unusual smell inside my house.
Call the Austin/Travis County Health Department at (512) 972-5400.
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Outdoor Air Quality
Some of our most common questions about outdoor air quality are answered below. If you have a question that isn't here, please let us know.
I have a complaint about an unusual smell outside.
Call the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Regional Office at (512) 339-2929. The TCEQ also has a Complaint Line: 1-888-777-3186 to report environmental violations or hazards.
There's a bad smell coming from a nearby shop. What do I do?
If you smell fumes coming from a paint or auto shop or dry cleaners, call the Austin Fire Department Prevention Division at (512) 974-0160.
How do I report noise pollution?
Contact the Austin Police Department. The main switchboard is (512) 974-0160, or call the non-emergency line, 3-1-1.
Where can I find out more about the City's Smoking in Public Places Ordinance?
The City's smoking ordinance prohibits smoking within 15 feet of a public entryway. For more information or enforcement concerns, call the Austin/Travis County Health Department at (512) 972-5400.
How do I report a smoking vehicle?
If you notice a vehicle smoking for 10 seconds or more, call Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Smoking Vehicle line at 1-800-453-SMOG. This is a statewide number, so be prepared to report the vehicle license number, date, time, location and city. If you prefer, use the online reporting form here
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Read below to learn more about ozone and other pollutants affecting Central Texas.
How is the Air Quality Index (AQI) different from ozone readings?
The EPA's Air Quality Index is a guide to the overall quality of air in a region based on levels of major pollutants. The AQI represents the health risk from the most severe pollutant on any given day. In Austin, that's usually ozone.
An AQI forecast is issued as both a number and a color-coded scale. AQI numbers are very close to the parts-per-billion measurement for ozone, but not the same. The AQI is calculated on a uniform scale for all pollutants. For instance, a measured ozone level of 85 ppb is equal to an AQI of 100. Both mark the level at which ozone concentrations begin to be unhealthy for sensitve groups. To learn more about the AQI, visit the EPA's Air Now site to learn more about the AQI.
Aren't we supposed to protect the ozone?
When we talk about ozone in an air quality sense, we're usually talking about ground-level ozone. That's the "bad" ozone that's formed from pollutants where we live and work. There is an ozone layer high in our atmosphere, sometimes called "good" ozone, that helps protect us from UV radiation. Although these two types of ozone share the same chemical makeup, they affect us differently. Ground-level ozone is a respiratory irritant and harmful to plant life. Confusing? Just remember the ozone rhyme: Good up high, bad nearby.
What other pollutants are a problem in Austin?
Currently, ground-level ozone is the only pollutant for which Austin regularly exceeds federal standards. However, many parts of Texas, including Austin, are becoming concerned about particulate matter, small pieces dust, dirt or other pollutants in the atmosphere. The US EPA regulates two sizes of particulate matter, PM 10 (particles smaller than 10 microns in diameter) and PM 2.5 (particles below 2.5 microns). For more information on these regulations, visit the EPA's Air Now website.
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Regional Initiatives and Programs
There are numerous organizations and incentives in our area designed to help businesses and individuals reduce pollution, energy and water consumption.
How can my business get involved?
Local companies can join Clean Air Partners, a partnership of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and the CLEAN AIR Force of Central Texas. Clean Air Partners helps businesses implement employee commute strategies and improve business processes for a more responsible, less-polluting workplace. Partners are asked to commit to a voluntary 10% emissions reduction, and to report twice annually on their progress.
How can I get involved as a citizen?
The CLEAN AIR Force, is a non-profit group representing business, government, environmental and community interests for cleaner air. Citizen participation is encouraged throughout Central Texas — go online or call 512-343-SMOG for more information.
How can I get a rebate or discount on an electric lawnmower?
The CLEAN AIR Force operates an incentive program to encourage citizens to trade high-polluting, gas-powered lawnmowers for new electric models. Rebates are offered periodically, generally in one-day events during the spring and early summer at local vendors. Contact the CLEAN AIR Force at 512-343-SMOG for details on upcoming trade-in events.
Are there rebates for making my house more energy-efficient?
Contact Austin Energy at 512-494-9400 for information on residential or commercial rebate and incentive programs, including the "Power Partners" automatic thermostat incentive, heating and air conditioning rebates, coupons for compact fluorescent lightbulbs and more.
Excessive water use requires energy, which can lead to additional pollution. Are there incentives to reduce water consumption?
The City of Austin's Water Conservation Program offers rebates for certain types of low-flow toilets, efficient washing machines, irrigation systems, and discounts on rainbarrel collection systems. They also can help you take advantage of xeriscaping rebates for native-plant gardening, which uses less water.
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Vehicles
How does your vehicle affect the air quality? How can you choose a less-polluting vehicle? Read for more information.
What new vehicle purchases are eligible for rebates through the Texas Railroad Commission?
Visit the Texas Railroad Commision's site and click on propane or call 1-800-64CLEAR to find out more about the Railroad Commission's propane vehicle rebates.
What is a "green vehicle?"
"Green vehicle" is a term used to describe cars and trucks that emit far fewer pollutants than average vehicles. Generally, higher gas mileage equates to fewer emissions. The EPA's Green Vehicle Guide allows you to compare the emissions of different makes and models to select the vehicle that's right for you.
How can I get a rebate on an emissions-free vehicle?
Central Texas Clean Cities and Austin Energy offer Electric Vehicle Rebates between $50 and $250 to Austin Energy customers who buy qualifying all-electric cars, scooters, and bicycles from approved dealers.
Where can I learn more about hybrid vehicles?
The EPA's Green Vehicle Guide has information about the emissions of all vehicles from the 2000 model year forward. For information on currently available hybrid vehicles, you can contact the vehicle manufacturer. Both Toyota and Honda currently sell hybrid vehicles; other manufacturers, including Ford, have vehicles in development.
How do I report a smoking vehicle?
If you notice a vehicle smoking for 10 seconds or more, call Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Smoking Vehicle line at 1-800-453-SMOG. This is a statewide number, so be prepared to report the vehicle license number, date, time, location and city. If you prefer, use the online reporting form here.
How can I have my vehicle's emissions tested?
Currently, vehicle emissions tests are required in Travis and Williamson Counties. The Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program requires all subject gasoline vehicles 2 to 24 years old registered and primarily operated in the I/M program counties (Travis and Williamson) to undergo an annual emissions inspection test in conjunction with the annual safety inspection. Emissions inspection tests are conducted at all safety inspection stations. The entire vehicle safety and emissions inspection should be completed in about 20 minutes from the time the vehicle is driven into the inspection bay. If a vehicle fails the emissions inspection test, the items of failure will be indicated on the Vehicle Inspection Report. The vehicle should be repaired and returned to the same inspection station with 15 days for a free re-test. A passing emission inspection test (or test waiver) is required in order to renew vehicle registration or to receive a safety inspection sticker. For more information on I/M please visit: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/index.htm
Do older vehicles always have higher emissions?
Emissions standards for manufacturers have become stricter over the years, so most newer cars and trucks are designed to have lower emissions levels than older cars. However, vehicle maintenance, not age, is the key factor in how much a car or truck pollutes. A well-maintained older vehicle may have extremely low emissions, and a newer car may have some slight problem that causes it to emit pollutants well above the manufacturer-designed level. To be on the safe side, keep your car in good repair, no matter what its age, and look for signs (like a drop in gas mileage) to signal a potential emissions problem.
What can I do to reduce my emissions?
Keep your car in good repair, and your emissions low, by following your manufacturer's scheduled maintenance guidelines. You can also:
- Check your tire pressure with an accurate gauge every two weeks. Low tires are often impossible to detect visually, and can waste as much as 10% of your fuel.
- Change your oil every 3,000 miles. Oil reduces engine friction, and regular changes can increase gas mileage — saving our air and your money.
- Change your air filter regularly. It's easy to do on your own, or your mechanic can include it with your regular tune up.
- Avoid "jackrabbit" starts that can waste fuel and increase pollution.
- Clean out your trunk. Driving with unnecessary cargo in your truck bed or trunk can increase fuel consumption.
- Turn off the engine instead of idling (except when you're idling in traffic). Skip drive-thru lanes (go inside instead), and turn the car off while you're waiting for a passenger.
- Skip "warming up" your car. Modern engines actually warm up faster while in motion, so there's no need to warm up the car, even on a cold day.
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