The CAPCOG Air Quality Program integrated reporting from its eight ozone monitors into EPA’s AirNow.gov to give Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) residents more insight about their local air quality, so they can better protect their health.
AirNow.gov provides website visitors with real-time air monitoring data, and translates it into an easily understandable Air Quality Index that is color coded based on the air’s harmfulness. Using the index, residents can know when to prevent or limit exposure to the outside air, such as during a wildfire, and when to act to reduce air pollution. Every year, the MSA experiences several days when the air quality is poor enough to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, which includes babies, children, and teenagers; older adults; adults with respiratory or cardiovascular illness; and healthy adults who exercise or work outdoors. About 40 percent of the MSA’s population fall within that category; therefore, it is important for everyone to be air aware.
Previously only Travis County monitors were on website; adding the CAPCOG monitors included local information for Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, and Williamson county residents.
