Your Ozone Season Guide
Ozone season in North Texas starts March 1st and lasts until November 30th, which means it’s time to get a refresh on air quality basics!
When temperatures are higher, we can expect a larger number of high-level risk ozone days. Ground-level ozone, or simply ozone, forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and/or volatile compounds (VOCs) combine with sunlight and intense heat. It is a harmful air pollutant that’s especially dangerous for people who have asthma or respiratory problems as well as young children.
Air Quality Indicators
To understand the severity of air pollution and its health effects, it’s important to become familiar with the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Green: Air quality is excellent and poses little to no risk.
Yellow: Air quality is acceptable; however, unusually sensitive groups should consider limiting prolonged or heavy outdoor reaction.
Orange: Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups including active children and adults along with those with respiratory diseases such as asthma. These groups should reduce prolonged outdoors exertion.
Red: Air quality is unhealthy. Active children and adults, including those with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.
Purple: Air quality is very unhealthy. Active children and adults, along with those with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Ways to Lend a Hand
During ozone action days, ozone levels are expected to be above average. It’s important to take extra precautions for your health.
Consider implementing new things into your routine such as conserving electricity, minimizing idling, and refueling after dusk. Check out Air North Texas for more information on air quality resources.
Use clean and sustainable ways to get around. Instead of driving your car to the nearest coffee shop, consider biking, walking or public transportation. If you drive a vehicle, try carpooling with a friend to reduce traffic congestion.
Some household products are made using smog-forming chemicals that evaporate in the air when you use them. Consider using environmentally safe household products including paints and cleaning products. If possible, consider switching to electric lawn mowers instead of gas engines.
Try composting food scraps and yard trimmings to manage your waste more sustainably and produce rich soil. With spring on the horizon, it makes for a perfect sustainable garden and eliminates the need for pesticides and artificial fertilizers.
The benefits of composting, according to EPA.gov, include building resilience to the impacts of climate change and reducing the number of materials in landfills; therefore, preventing greenhouse gas emissions from being emitted into the atmosphere.
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