HOUSTON — With abundant sunshine and warm and humid temperatures, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone Action Day for Houston, Galveston, and surrounding areas for Sunday. The atmosphere will be favorable for producing unhealthy levels of ozone pollution.
People with respiratory health issues should limit their time outdoors.
Stratospheric ozone and Ground-level ozone
Stratospheric ozone is naturally found in the upper levels of the atmosphere. This ozone layer serves as earth's shield from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. As long as this layer remains up high, this will not cause any issues for folks with lung sensitivities.
Ground-level ozone is created when sunlight, stagnant winds, and warm temperatures combine with volatile organic compounds or VOCs. VOCs come from emissions from motor vehicle exhaust, industrial facilities, gasoline vapors, and household aerosol chemical solvents. When this atmospheric combination occurs, it lingers at the ground level and is unhealthy to breathe in, especially for folks with respiratory health conditions. Ground-level ozone air quality issues usually occur in places where there are high levels of pollution, such as large metropolitan areas.
When there are high levels of ground-level ozone, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will issue "Ozone Action Days." During Ozone Action Days, the TCEQ recommends people to take action to prevent ozone pollution by:
- Sharing a ride.
- Walking to your destination.
- Riding a bicycle.
- Taking your lunch to work.
- Avoid idling your vehicle.
- Keeping your vehicle properly tuned.
According to the TCEQ website, Ozone Action Day forecasts are made daily by TCEQ meteorologists during the ozone forecast season. The ozone forecast season for Houston begins on March 1 and ends on November 30.
