Millions of Texans were urged to cut their emissions on Tuesday after issuing air quality alerts for the Houston area.
The alert came from the Texas Committee on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This advised residents to avoid drive-thru lanes and limit vehicle use.
Why is it important?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that short-term exposure to ozone elevation can lead to worsening conditions such as dyspnea, lung inflammation, and asthma.
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Long-term exposure to ozone is associated with permanent lung damage and an increased risk of respiratory infection.
The alert applies to areas with over 2 million residents.
What do you know
“Air conditions are expected to be advantageous in producing high levels of ozone air pollution on Tuesday,” according to an official alert issued by The National Weather Service (NWS).
Residents were encouraged to restrict driving and reduce emissions generation activities such as idling in drive-thru lanes.
Sharing rides, walking, having lunch, and adjusting the vehicle properly are other ways that alerts can help affected residents prevent ozone contamination.
The warnings covered the Houston, Galveston and Brazolia regions.
The Texas Environmental Quality Commission (Texas Environmental Agency) is subject to statewide air quality monitoring and issues recommendations when pollution levels pose a public health risk.
TCEQ works with federal agencies, local governments, and community partners to develop plans to monitor emissions, implement environmental regulations and meet air quality standards.
The agency is also promoting voluntary efforts to reduce emissions on ozone action dates.
Ozone, the main component of smog, is formed when sunlight causes a reaction between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
What people are saying
Accuweather Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco told Newsweek:
“Weather conditions play a major role in temperament. If high pressure is the main weather function that promotes dry conditions and sunlight, ozone levels can increase. Wind speeds can be concentrated in areas with higher wind speeds, which can lead to contaminants being concentrated.
The Texas Committee on Environmental Quality stated on its website: “Every day during the ozone season (approximately March to November in Texas), Ozone Action Day forecasts are made for nine participating Metropolitan areas (Austin, Beaumont Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, Dallas Fort Worth, El Paso, San Antonio, San Antonio and Tyler Ronvie).
“TCEQ will notify the public one day before the conditions are predicted to be beneficial to the high ozone levels in participating areas, allowing citizens, businesses and industries to take steps to reduce pollutants that contribute to ozone formation.”
What will happen next
Texans can monitor current and predicted air quality conditions through TCEQ’s Air Monitoring Network and subscribe to near-real-time updates.
Public health agencies continue to highlight positive steps to reduce emissions and protect vulnerable groups on high-risk days.
Updated, 03/25/2025, 01:08 PM ET: This article has been updated with a comment from Elizabeth Danko.
