Air Quality

Terms

Here are some common air quality terms and what it all means for you.

What is an “airshed”?

An airshed is the mass of air that is in and around a community. You can learn about airshed in the Corpus Christi area in the annual reports.

What is “ozone”?

Ground-level ozone is ozone that is in the air from the ground up to about 2 miles in the air. It is formed when Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) come together on hot, sunny days.

What are local NOx and VOC sources?

On-road vehicles: cars, trucks and motorcycles
Non-road sources: planes and boats
Construction equipment
Pumping or transferring gasoline products
Use of paints and solvents
Gas-powered lawn and landscape equipment
Power plants
Industrial operations
Use of cleaners and disinfectants
Spraying aerosols
Chemical processing

How is ozone measured?

Ozone is measured on a rolling 3-year average by specific monitoring stations called Continuous Air Monitoring Stations (CAMS). The two Corpus Christi-area monitoring stations are located at 902 Airport Road and 9866 La Branch Street. The data collected here determines our airshed compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Status (NAAQS).

To maintain compliance, our air’s rolling 3-year average for ozone measurements must not exceed 70 parts per billion (ppb). To help understand in common measurements, this would be like making sure there was a contaminant volume no bigger than a sugar cube in an entire standard swimming pool! Learn more about air quality and monitoring.

Community Impact

Our Health

Ozone that is close to the ground can be detrimental to our health. Long-term exposure to ground-level ozone is linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses, particularly in children and the elderly. Why? Children spend more time outdoors and their lungs are still developing. The elderly may have a weakened respiratory system that is more sensitive to ground-level ozone. Learn more about the health effects of ground-level ozone.

Our Economy

Not complying with EPA standards for ground-level ozone is very costly for our community. New rules and requirements, restrictions, and loss of funding can be imposed on a community that is no longer in compliance.

Nueces and San Patricio counties would experience additional costs of up to $1.7 billion annually for a minimum of 23 years due to possible loss of Federal funding, curtailed construction activities, curtailed or cancelled expansion for area businesses, required transportation accommodations, additional permitting requirements and more. Citizens of our counties would see an increase of $1,115–$3,299 annually in their cost of living for a minimum of 23 years.

Reference: Study performed by Dr. Jim Lee at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Make a Difference

How can you help?

When it comes to maintaining our air quality, it’s up to all of us. We engage in activities every day that can help or hurt our local air quality.

Make Clean Air Choices by:

Reducing vehicle time on the road by combining several trips into one outing.
Considering car-pooling, walking for short errands, bicycling or using mass transit.
Avoiding idling your vehicle.
Driving the speed limit and avoiding jackrabbit starts.
Teleworking or telecommuting when you can.

Driving during off-peak times when there is less congestion and idling in traffic.
Refueling your vehicle before sunrise or after sunset.
Finishing your fueling once the pump clicks off.
Using low VOC paint and solvent products and keeping their containers tightly sealed.
Keeping your tires properly inflated and your vehicle well-maintained.

Stop by a free AutoCheck event to see if your vehicle is polluting, where you may be eligible for free repairs. See the full list of emissions testing events.

Corpus Christi Urban Airshed

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) defines our area as the Corpus Christi Urban Airshed, which includes all of Nueces and San Patricio Counties.

Ozone Averaging and Trending

For our air to comply with ozone standards, our air’s rolling 3-year average for ozone measurements by area monitors must not exceed 70 parts per billion (ppb). This means that in 1 billion units of air, there must not be more that 70 units of ozone within that 1 billion units of air.

Corpus Christi Urban Airshed
3-Year Rolling Average for Ozone

Monitor	2019*	2020*	2021*	3-year average
Monitor #4 902 Airport Blvd.	62 parts per billion	61 parts per billion	65 parts per billion	63 parts per billion
Monitor #21 Tuloso 9860 LaBranch	58 parts per billion	64 parts per billion	64 parts per billion	62 parts per billion
*4th highest ozone reading shown for each year

Become a Partner

"The Port of Corpus Christi is proud to be a founding partner of the Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership. Protecting our air shed and positively impacting social determinants of health for our communities are core values of the Port of Corpus Christi. As the primary steward of the largest economic engine in the region, we must be bold in our efforts to improve air quality standards. Our leadership looks forward to expanding our role in protecting the regional economy and environment in tandem in the years ahead."

Sean Strawbridge
Former Port of Corpus Christi CEO

"Nueces County leadership has been a strong supporter of the Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership for many years. With the work of the Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership and strong community support, we enjoy air that is compliant with health standards while also enjoying robust growth in business and construction activity."

Barbara Canales
Former Nueces County Judge

"I believe the efforts of the Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership allow us to maintain EPA’s ozone air quality standards. Since 1995, I have witnessed a small volunteer group evolve into the incredible organization it is today. Thank you to all the participants; when we work together, we can achieve amazing results."

Cathy Skurow
City of Portland Mayor

"Since 1995, the City of Corpus Christi, the Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership, and its supporters have joined efforts to successfully maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone. We are an example of the success that can occur when an air quality organization and the community work together. We look forward to continuing the great work of the Partnership to guarantee the health and well-being of our citizens and the region."

Paulette Guajardo
City of Corpus Christi Mayor

"This partnership has been a long time coming. The Board of Directors represents a broad range of interests and perspectives, from NGOs to local government to academia, business and industry, all with a focus on striving for the lowest achievable emissions from all sources to better protect public health and our quality of life in the Coastal Bend."

Errol S. Summerlin
Community Advocate

"San Patricio County is appreciative of the work of the Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership as we work together to maintain air quality that is healthy for our San Patricio County community. We are proud to support the ongoing efforts of the Partnership."

David Krebs
San Patricio County Judge

"Since 1995, the Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership has proven to be an essential element of the region’s efforts to keep air quality in attainment of EPA’s ozone standards. Coastal Bend Industry Association member companies have been proud participants in this community effort to improve local air quality, and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve additional improvements in the years ahead."

Bob Paulison
Coastal Bend Industry Association Executive Director

Check your air quality now

Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership:
1305 N. Shoreline Blvd. Suite 220, Corpus Christi, TX 78401