Starting next November, Bexar County will require emissions testing for gas vehicles due to rising pollution.
SAN ANTONIO — Starting next November gasoline-powered vehicles between two and 24 years old in Bexar County will require emissions testing. The reason is because of increased air pollution that threatens the health of everyone in the Alamo City and surrounding towns.
The EPA says pollution is on the rise across much of the country, including here in south Texas. That’s why the state of Texas has developed a State Implementation plan to improve air quality, and reduce the threat of long term health consequences.
“It’s indicative of a trend we’re seeing, because of changes in the climate, and increased urbanization and ozone pollution is a predictor of development of asthma in children, too,” Dr. Debra Hendrickson, a pediatrician and author of “The Air They Breathe said.
The American Lung Associations 2025 “State of the Air” report found that 156 million people, or 46% of the U.S. population is living in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution. The San Antonio metro, including New Braunfels and Kerrville, was named the 20th most polluted metro in the nation. However, both the Houston-Pasadena metro and Dallas-Fort Worth metro faired worse, ranking 7th and 10 respectively.
“Any time you see yourself climbing in those ranks, it’s it’s not a good sign for the the citizens of that town,” Dr. Hendrickson added.
When it comes to driving there are things you can do to help reduce emissions: Drive less, try to walk or bike more, use public transportation, carpool or rideshare, keep your vehicle well maintained and limit idling.
There are also things you can do at home to reduce emissions, save energy, and money: Conserve electricity, choose efficient appliances, limit outdoor burning of things like leaves and trash, and use green lawn equipment instead of gas-powered.
“Most of us have homes that are, powered by, fossil fuel emissions and, and burning natural gas, for example, in our stoves. Take an inventory of those things and see with what you might be able to do about reducing, or, or replacing any of those with electric appliances powered by renewable energy,” Dr. Hendrickson said.