Air Quality
Clean air is an important part of ensuring a healthy community. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) works in cooperation with federal, state, and local stakeholders to improve air quality in the North Central Texas region.
This map above shows the current design values based on the 2015 NAAQS of 70 ppb. Last updated: October 26, 2026.
Sign up for air pollution alerts and learn how you can help improve air quality at www.AirNorthTexas.org.
Background
In 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated ten counties in North Central Texas – Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise – as nonattainment for the pollutant ozone in accordance with the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). In 2015, the EPA strengthened the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, and in 2018, the EPA designated nine counties (all previously mentioned counties, except Rockwall County) as nonattainment for the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS. These counties remain in nonattainment for one or both of the ozone standards. This is determined by comparing the design values calculated from air quality data collected by the region's air quality monitors to the NAAQS.
Under the federal Clean Air Act, states are required to create an air quality plan, called a State Implementation Plan (SIP), for all nonattainment regions. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is responsible for the SIP for the state of Texas. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the region, NCTCOG works closely with federal and state regulatory agencies to ensure all transportation projects listed in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Plan align with established air quality goals. This includes demonstrating, through the federally required transportation conformity process, that emissions remain below the emissions ceiling established in the SIP.
Because ground-level ozone negatively impacts the health of people and the environment and is the region's primary pollutant of concern, NCTCOG is continually working with federal, state, and local partners to attain the ozone NAAQS for the Dallas-Fort Worth region. These efforts can also reduce other air pollutants, resulting in an overall improvement in air quality, and thus, improved public health and well-being all North Texans. Air quality improvement strategies can be carried out by everyone, including individuals, local governments, and businesses.
Current Air Quality Initiatives
Local governments and citizens across the region are collaborating with NCTCOG to implement the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Air Quality Improvement Plan (AQIP). To aid in this endeavor, NCTCOG keeps an updated list of all available air quality funding and resources. Click the links below to explore all air quality programs available to local governments, fleets, and the general public.
Additional initiatives include Air North Texas, a regional air quality public awareness campaign, and the Air Quality Health Monitoring Task Force, aimed at addressing air quality and public health concerns in partnership with local air quality and health experts. NCTCOG’s Regional Integration of Sustainability Efforts (RISE) Coalition works with interested local governments to support environmental initiatives, which include improving air quality.
Learn More About Air Quality!
The NCTCOG Air Quality Handbook provides a full breakdown of the region's air quality and the air quality initiatives currently being implemented by NCTCOG with local stakeholders.
The following icons link to pages exploring different aspects of air quality, including current ozone activity, weather, indoor air quality, and design value!
Stay up to date on the latest news from NCTCOG's Air Quality team, including program launches and funding opportunities.
For additional inquiries, please contact Analisa Garcia.