![]() ![]() In order to reduce ozone pollution, Bexar County must follow certain restrictions to lower nitrogen oxide and VOCs.įor people in San Antonio, the most notable of these changes is a new vehicle inspection and maintenance check for cars 2 to 24 years old. The mixture can create a smog that settles over cities and causes various health problems, including asthma and lung infections. Ozone pollution comes from a combination of heat and sunlight, nitrogen oxide gas released from cars and trucks, and volatile organic compounds from such things as construction and painting. If the county fails again to meet the standard, further restrictions could be implemented. Once Bexar County’s nonattainment designation is downgraded to moderate, it will have another three years - until September 2024 - to lower emissions, Hufstetler said. ![]() Over the last few years, the concentration has fluctuated roughly between 72 and 73 ppb. “Because we didn’t do that in three years, we are being bumped up to the next level of nonattainment called moderate,” he said.īexar County ended last year’s ozone season - when ozone reaches its highest levels between March and November - at 72 ppb. On : Ozone levels trigger EPA 'non-attainment' designation in San Antonioīeing classified as marginal attainment triggered a three-year clock for the county to reduce ozone levels to the EPA’s limit of 70 parts per billion, Hufstetler said. ![]() Of the five nonattainment classifications, marginal has the least severe restrictions, said Lyle Hufstetler, the natural resources project coordinator at AACOG. Costs associated with commuting could also be a factor.Ĭurrently, San Antonio and its surrounding areas have an EPA ozone classification called marginal nonattainment, a designation implemented in 2018 when the national limit was reduced to a level that is less than this area’s ozone concentration. Several factors will contribute to the potential fiscal impact, including the cost of industry permitting, delayed projects and the loss of gross regional product resulting from inspection fees and construction setbacks. 24 by the EPA - could raise costs across the San Antonio area as much as $8.7 billion, according to estimates by the Alamo Area Council of Governments. The move - expected to be confirmed Sept. And with that will come further restrictions on the county in an effort to reduce emissions. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to change what’s known as the nonattainment status for the area. ![]() Since 2018, the amount of nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds emitted from vehicles, construction and other sources has not fallen enough to reduce the level of ozone pollution in Bexar County to the national limit. ![]()
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