What is an Air Quality Alert?

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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an Ozone Action Day, also known as an Air Quality Alert, for the Dallas-Fort Worth area Tuesday. These days will become more common as we head into the summer months.

An Air Quality Alert is issued when there is a high level of pollutants such as ozone near the surface that can potentially affect your health. The alert was designed by the government to communicate to the public on how much pollution there is in the low levels of our atmosphere, the air we breathe.

Ozone in the upper levels of our atmosphere helps protect us from harmful rays from the sun. This is the good ozone. Ozone at the surface is bad. It is harmful to your lungs and health. Breathing in ozone can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. The elderly and very young are most at risk.

Pollution from ozone occurs when oxide nitrogen gasses and chemical reactions from volatile organic compounds mix together. Sunlight and heat help to combine oxide nitrogen gasses and volatile organic compounds together forming smog. Cars, trucks and factories are all big contributors to ozone pollution.

You can do your part in preventing pollution by carpooling, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive-through lanes, conserving energy, and keeping your vehicle properly tuned.

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