High Ozone Leads to Another Air Quality Alert Friday, Saturday

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The National Weather Service extended Friday's Air Quality Alert for North Texas into Saturday after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) declared the day an Ozone Action Day.

The TCEQ said Friday afternoon that atmospheric conditions are expected to again be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The ozone forecast for Friday and Saturday is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sunday and going forward into the new week, the air quality forecast improves to moderate.

"Light to moderate winds, hot temperatures, abundant afternoon sunshine, and/or elevated incoming background levels could be enough for ozone to reach 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' on the northwest sides of the Dallas-Fort Worth area."

Stay Safe During a Hail Storm

At Home?

Head indoors immediately
If time allows, close all drapes, blinds or shades to prevent broken glass from entering your home.
Stay away from windows and skylights (any exterior glass) and head to a safe location inside your home, ideally only with interior walls.

Outdoors?

Cover your head and seek shelter indoors immediately.
If you are trapped outside, get to a low-lying area and try to protect your head. Use clothing if it all you have.

Driving?

Stay inside your vehicle.
Slow down or pull over and stop at a safe location. DO NOT stop under a highway overpass. You may be protecting your vehicle, but you could be forcing other people to stop behind you.
Turn your back to windows or cover yourself with a blanket, coat or spare clothing to protect yourself from breaking glass.
If you have a sunroof, try to find something to protect your head.

The alert affects the following counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise.

Ground-level ozone is a respiratory toxic agent that can cause acute respiratory health effects when people breathe high concentrations of it over several hours. The TECQ said these effects include decreased lung function and pain with deep breaths, and aggravated asthma symptoms.

You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive-through lanes, conserving energy, and keeping your vehicle properly tuned.

Online:
Ozone: The Facts
Air North Texas
EPA Air Now
Take Care of Texas
North Central Texas Council of Governments Air Quality

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