HOUSTON – Houston, Galveston, and surrounding areas are on Ozone Action Day.
The weather patterns are adding to higher pollution levels. Tuesday is the first Ozone Day for 2025 - today’s warm temperatures, sunshine, and light winds are trapping pollutants in Houston, leading to the formation of ground-level ozone which could make it hard to breathe, especially for sensitive groups.
You can check air quality near you here:
On Ozone Action Days - cars and trucks, spew nitrogen oxides through their exhaust while bulldozers and generators add more pollution through their diesel engines. Even lawn and garden tools like gas-powered mowers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws seem small - but collectively add to the bigger problem. This is why we want to reduce emissions to keep our air healthy - like carpool, avoid idling, combine trips, mow lawns in the morning and fuel up after dark.
So how do you stay healthy on days like today? Especially for unhealthy for sensitive groups:
- Limit time outside: Peak ozone hours are usually midday to late afternoon when the sunlight is the strongest. This includes yard work and running because heavy breathing pulls more ozone into your lungs.
- Keep windows closed to keep the polluted air out and always check your filters to make sure the air in your house is clean.
- Watch for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or chest tightness.
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