The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone Action Day alert for the Austin area for tomorrow, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone pollution in the Austin area.
SAFETY TIPS:
- Be Air Aware. Check real time air quality near you at www.airnow.gov.
- Stay indoors. Limit your time outdoors to reduce exposure to high ozone levels.
- Chose less intensive outdoor activities. Walk instead of running. Garden instead of hiking, tennis instead of soccer.
- Schedule outdoor activities for early in the morning. Ozone levels are lower in the morning and increase throughout the day.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR IMPACT:
- Take advantage of public transit. On ozone action days use public transit or carpool.
- Don’t idle. Pollution from cars (oxides of nitrogen, NOx) produces ozone and contributes to air pollution. Go inside instead of using the drive-thru and roll down your windows when sitting in your car.
- Fill up after 6 pm. If you must fill up your car, do it after 6 pm. Gasoline is made of VOCs that contribute to ozone formation in the presence of sunlight.
- Postpone lawn work. Do not use gas-powered lawn equipment on Ozone Action Days. If you do have to work on your lawn on an Ozone Action Day, wait until after 6 pm.
For more information on ozone:
Ozone: The Facts
EPA Air Now
Take Care of Texas
Capital Area Council of Governments Air Quality
CLEAN AIR Force of Central Texas
