City on Alert: San Antonio Braces for Ozone Action Day
In an abrupt weather warn, San Antonio’s officials have raised an Ozone Action Day alert for the city on September 30, 2024. The City of San Antonio announced the alert following warnings of favorable atmospheric conditions predicted to lead to high levels of ozone air pollution, potentially exacerbating respiratory problems among certain groups in the community.
Seventh Ozone Action Day of 2024
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality informed the city about its seventh Ozone Action Day of this year on Sunday, September 29, as per a city news release. The conditions put young children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis at high risk. For these populations, exposure to elevated ozone levels can significantly result in respiratory distress.
Recommendations to Mitigate Risk
The city has advised these at-risk groups to limit outdoor activities on the day. Moreover, individuals who frequently experience difficulties in breathing or who have asthma have been strongly advised to stay indoors where possible.
Actions for Improving Air Quality
The city has also proposed several actions for community members to follow to maintain the city’s air quality healthy. These include:
- Refueling vehicles after 6 p.m.
- Avoiding drive-thru at eateries and opting to go inside.
- Turning off vehicles instead of letting them idle.
- Setting thermostats 2 to 3 degrees higher from 2 to 7 p.m., and programming them to higher temperatures when no one is home. The recommended energy-saving temperature is 78 degrees.
- Opting for carpooling or public transport, wherever possible.
- Combining errands to reduce trips.
More Info on Ground-Level Ozone
For more comprehensive information about ground-level ozone and its environmental and health impact, residents are guided to visit Metro Health’s website.