AirNow
By Joe Edwards
Reporter
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Residents east of Longview, Texas, faced potentially harmful levels of air pollution in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a live map from AirNow showed.
AirNow, an air quality data resource, is a partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other agencies.
Why It Matters
Officials and experts say that deteriorating air quality heightens health risks for vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses.
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What To Know
Early on Tuesday, EPA mapping showed levels of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution in the “unhealthy” category across an area of northeast Texas, encompassing locales including Jefferson, Harleton, Marshall and Scottsville.
When air quality reaches these levels, EPA guidance advises sensitive groups to avoid long or intense outdoor activities, or to consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.
The rest of the population is advised to reduce long or intense outdoor activities, and to take more breaks when outdoors.
The Air Quality Index measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 301 and above:
- 0—50 (Green): Good—Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- 51—100 (Yellow): Moderate—Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- 101—150 (Orange): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups—Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
- 151—200 (Red): Unhealthy—Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
- 201—300 (Purple): Very Unhealthy—Health alert. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
- 301 and higher (Maroon): Hazardous—Health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.
What People Are Saying
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) said in its air quality forecast for Tuesday: “The scattered burning activities across portions of Louisiana, the Southeastern U.S., in addition to East and Southeast Texas are forecast to continue producing light density residual smoke that will linger and filter over East Texas, Southeast Texas, along with small parts of South Central Texas, North Central Texas, and the Coastal Plains.
“Additionally, light daytime winds are expected to slightly elevate urban fine particulate matter over the eastern-two thirds of the state as well. Meanwhile, light density smoke associated with industrial activities across the Permian Basin is forecast to slightly elevate fine particulate levels at times across this region of Texas as well.”
What Happens Next
AirNow’s live map is updated regularly.
Air quality forecasts for Texas can be found on TCEQ’s website.
Update, 11/4/2025, 6:37 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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