Air quality
Bexar County has a serious ozone air quality problem
The EPA classifies Bexar County as a serious ozone nonattainment area under the 2015 eight-hour ozone standard, which affects regional regulations and can matter for people with respiratory conditions.
In July 2024, the EPA reclassified Bexar County from moderate to serious ozone nonattainment. This is under the 2015 eight-hour ozone standard of 0.070 parts per million. The county must meet the standard by September 24, 2027. This classification requires stricter emission controls on major industrial sources of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
In daily life, hot and sunny summer days in San Antonio can create high-ozone conditions. People with asthma, other lung problems, or heart disease are most at risk on high-ozone days. Check EPA's AirNow.gov for the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) in San Antonio before spending long time outdoors.
The nonattainment label means the state must submit a plan to cut emissions. Bexar County businesses also face tighter permit rules. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) tracks San Antonio's ozone status at tceq.texas.gov.
Source to confirm: TCEQ – San Antonio Current Ozone Attainment Status