The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets guidelines for six "criteria" air pollutants. These National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are authorized by the Clean Air Act. Areas where pollutant concentrations regularly exceed the NAAQS are in violation of the standards and can be declared "nonattainment" areas.

Ozone is one of these criteria pollutants, and has two measurements to determine whether levels in the atmosphere are hazardous to our health. The 1-hour standard measures the highest peak concentration of ozone levels in any one hour. The more stringent 8-hour standard measures the highest ozone level averaged over an eight-hour period. The Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and EPA use these two standards to determine how serious the ozone problem is in Austin.

The 1-hour standard

Local government leaders in Central Texas took action early to make sure that Austin remained in compliance with the 1-hour standard by signing the O3 Flex Agreement with EPA and TCEQ. O3 Flex promises that regional governments and businesses will take voluntary actions to reduce ozone; in return, the EPA will give "credit" for those actions in future regulatory programs, and will do everything in its power to defer nonattainment status. Read the O3 Flex Agreement here (612KB PDF) or the html version - O3 Flex Agreement on the Clean Air Force web site.

The 8-hour standard

The region is now concerned with the health-based 8-hour standard. As of the 2002 ozone season, Central Texas had monitored ozone violations, meaning that we have met the criteria to be declared nonattainment. The EPA is expected to make those designations in 2004. However, in 2003 the EPA offered an innovative option to near-nonattainment areas: The Early Action Compact (EAC).

Our ozone season

Throughout Central Texas, ozone season (the time when ozone is most likely to form) begins on April 1st. From April Fool's Day to Halloween we experience our highest levels of ozone, with levels soaring in the heat of August and September. DO SOMETHING to help prevent ozone pollution.

So how can you do something for healthier air?