The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has designated today as an Ozone Action Day for the San Antonio area. It's already the sixth Ozone Action Day in 2024 and air quality issues are no stranger in the bustling metro.
The forecast comes with a side of unhealthy air, specifically high levels of ozone pollution that can make breathing a chore for vulnerable groups, including children, seniors, and those with respiratory issues. Metro Health is putting out the word that these groups should limit their time outdoors, and for anyone with asthma or breathing difficulties, staying indoors is a strong recommendation if not a necessity.
Metro Health and TCEQ advise taking simple yet effective steps to keep the air we all share a little cleaner. This includes refueling your vehicles after sunset—think post-6 p.m.— and bypassing the drive-thru lane at restaurants. Those small acts, along with avoiding unnecessary idling, setting the thermostat to a couple of degrees higher between 2 to 7 p.m., and opting for carpooling or public transportation, can add up to a breath of fresher air for everyone. Metro Health has a trove of details on its website.
