Central Texas under ozone watch May 30

Central Texas under ozone watch May 30

By Community Impact Newspaper Staff Friday, 29 May 2009

The Clean Air Force of Central Texas announced that Sat., May 30, will be an Ozone Watch day in the region.

Individuals with chronic lung disease, such as asthma and emphysema, as well as elderly residents and young children, are particularly sensitive to ground-level ozone and should attempt to avoid exposure by minimizing exertion outdoors.

Air quality monitors are currently registering unhealthy levels of ozone, which acts as a lung irritant, especially to individuals with asthma or chronic lung conditions.

The area affected by this Ozone Watch include Hays, Travis, Williamson, Caldwell and Bastrop counties.

For more information on ground-level ozone, visit www.cleanairforce.org.

Ozone Watch

An Ozone Watch occurs when conditions are forecast to be favorable for high ozone levels the following day in Central Texas. The Ozone Watch is valid for the next day so citizens, businesses and industry can plan ahead to take steps to reduce the pollutants that contribute to ozone formation. Proactive steps include telecommuting, carpooling, combining errands into one trip, and refueling after 6 p.m.

Ozone Warning

An Ozone Warning means that high levels of ozone are currently being measured at one or more monitoring sites in the Central Texas area. Warnings continue in effect as long as high ozone levels are measured.