Clean Air Action Day: Join the Movement
The heat is officially here, which will likely bring Ozone Action Days. These days are issued when ozone levels are expected to reach unhealthy levels. Any action, big or small, can make a difference in improving air quality. Join us as we offer resources and ways to take action for cleaner air.
Clean Air Action Day (CAAD) is held annually on the first Friday of June. This year, CAAD is on June 7, 2024. This day highlights the importance of taking a simple action to improve our region’s air quality. For more on clean air actions you can take, sign up for air pollution alerts and check out the information here.
Understanding Nonattainment and Ozone
Ten counties in our region (Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise) are in nonattainment for the pollutant ozone. North Texas must meet ozone standards given by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or face federal sanctions.
Inhaling ground-level ozone is especially dangerous for people who have asthma or respiratory problems, and they may experience an increased frequency of asthma attacks and health care needs. Young children may also be at risk for developmental problems associated with ozone exposure. Health effects from poor air quality include shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightening, throat irritation, and more.
Ways to improve air quality include:
Biking or Walking. Bike or walk to school, church, grocery stores, work and more. Benefits include increasing your physical activity and reducing monetary expenses such as vehicle fuel.
Carpool or Vanpool. Can’t bike or walk to work? Consider carpooling. Check out Try Parking It to see how you can earn discounts on your favorite brands just by choosing greener options when getting around!
Buy Local or at places where less driving is required. Consider going to your local farmers market
instead of the grocery store. You’ll get fresh, local produce while also reducing the demand for long-
distance transportation of goods. Less long-distance transport means fewer emissions from trucks, which helps improve air quality.
Consider taking public transit. Taking transit during rush hour can save you money at the pump and help alleviate congestion on the highways. Using public transit reduces the number of vehicles on the road which helps lower emissions and improve air quality. Check out Go Pass to purchase transit passes, plan your transit trip in real time, and receive rider alerts.
Report on smoking or polluting vehicles. Reporting smoking vehicles helps reduce harmful emissions and improves air quality for everyone. Learn more about the Regional Smoking Vehicle Program.
Your Role Matters
Making clean air choices helps improve our health and the environment. Actively participating in CAAD by reducing vehicle emissions, choosing public transit, and carpooling, can lower harmful emissions and improve air quality. These efforts not only enhance our health but encourage community engagement.
Sign up for air quality alerts as ozone action day alerts are the most common type of air pollution alerts in the North Texas region. Make sure to share how you celebrate CAAD by using #CAAD2024 and tagging us @nctcogtrans. There are many ways to improve the air quality in your area. Check out the Clean Air Action page for more choices you can make on June 7th!
