Air quality experts 'urge immediate action in Texas'

Air quality experts and officials have urged residents and businesses across Central Texas to help improve levels of air pollution in the state.

The national Environmental Protection Agency could deem the city of Austin to be an "ozone non-attainment" region if air quality in the area does not improve within two months, the Austin Business Journal reported.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell and other officials said that local inhabitants should reduce their car usage, cut down on their energy consumption and be aware of engaging in non-environmentally-friendly activities.

"We are very close to the line, so the next two months are critical," said Mr Leffingwell.

Authorities and environmental campaigners in the area fear that such negative branding could affect growth in the region on a long-term basis.

Meanwhile, state water quality appears to be higher than that of the air, as a monitoring programme used on Texas beaches was recently lauded by environmentalists.

Written by Lauren Steadman