The Air Quality Team manages activities on post that affect air quality in order to keep all facilities in compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. The Air Quality Team oversees operations such as painting, fueling, generator usage, and heating and cooling. The team works closely with the Directorates, Military Units, and contractors that provide these services to maintain air quality compliance.
The Air Quality Team ensures that all units and facilities on the Installation follow the regulations outlined in Fort Cavazos Regulation 200-1 as well as the Fort Cavazos Title V Air Operating Permit in order to be compliant with state and federal laws and regulations that are protective of human health and the environment.
OZONE ACTION DAY
Each day during ozone season (roughly March through November in Texas), the TCEQ informs the public when forecasted conditions can lead to Ozone Action Days (OAD). These are days when ozone levels are above normal and can impact our health through the quality of the air we breathe. TCEQ meteorologists make daily OAD forecasts during the season for each of the 14 metropolitan areas in Texas that includes Austin, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Brownsville-McAllen, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, San Antonio, Tyler-Longview, Victoria, and Waco-Killeen.
WHAT CAN I DO TO LIMIT OZONE FORMATION?
- Limit driving and idling. Instead, carpool, combine errands, use public transportation, bike, or walk.
- Refuel your vehicle in the late afternoon or evening and don’t top off the tank.
- Keep your vehicle maintained, including proper tire pressure.
- Maintain your yard equipment, including changing the oil and replacing air filters regularly. Also consider using tools without motors. Hand tools such as shears, edgers, and push reel mowers are lightweight, quiet, and easy to use, and do not generate emissions.
- Don’t burn yard waste.
- Use paint and cleaning products with less or zero volatile organic compounds.