Air Quality problems are some of the most complicated environmental issues we face in North Central Texas. The Office of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Program aims to promote healthy outdoor air for all residents by addressing the impact of City operations and actions on air quality. The two key air quality issues facing the City of Dallas are ground level ozone and the emission of greenhouse gases that effect global climate change.
The DFW region meets the standard for five of the six criteria air pollutants defined by the EPA: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxides (a precursor to ozone), particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide (a component of acid rain). Ozone, the sixth criteria pollutant, is the only air pollutant for which we do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The City of Dallas, along with many other cities across the United States and around the world, recognize the impact that smog and ozone formation have on our health and economic well-being.
While the Dallas/Fort Worth region is still in non-attainment for ozone, there has been a steady improvement measured across the area in recent years. Emission reductions have been achieved by implementing more stringent controls at stationary sources (stacks), by driving cleaner cars, using cleaner energy options, and by utilizing cleaner construction equipment.
