Hays County Commissioners Court Proclaims Air Quality Awareness Week

Regional air pollution levels were considered “moderate” or worse on more than a quarter of the days in 2016, according to the national Air Quality Index.

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court proclaimed May 1-5 as Air Quality Awareness Week in Hays County and encouraged residents to educate themselves about air quality by visiting Capitol Area Council of Governments’, CAPCOG, Air Central Texas (ACT) website, www.aircentraltexas.org.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant, who is a member of CAPCOG’s Clean Air Coalition, informed the Court that while the capital region is currently in attainment for air quality, it is close to non-attainment which will bring additional costs to residents in the form of environmental and economic impacts, such as vehicle emissions testing and health concerns.

Children, older adults, and people with lung disease or heart disease make up some two out of every five residents of Central Texas and are particularly affected by poor air quality.

“Our region works closely with the Alamo Council of Governments south of us, which is also facing issues with air quality,” Commissioner Whisenant said. “But, another challenge we face is the air quality southeast of us, primarily emissions from oil and chemical plants blown our way by winds from the Gulf. All of the groups involved work tirelessly to provide data and during every legislative session work to acquire funding for clean air programs.”

Regional air pollution levels were considered “moderate” or worse on more than a quarter of the days in 2016, according to the national Air Quality Index.