Texas Drivers (Again) Asked Not To Drive Their Cars
It's partly due to the summer heat but the possibility of Texas drivers being asked to leave their cars parked again will continue into winter.
Warmer temperatures and certain weather conditions can lead to an increase in ozone levels which can be harmful. To ease these levels, millions of Texans are being asked ... for the 2nd time this month ... to leave their cars at home.
High summer temps will continue through the remainder of the summer but the potential for more "ozone action days" will last much longer, continuing through October 31st.
The most recent "ozone action day" was declared in the Dallas - Fort Worth area while the "ozone-forecast season", (March - November), is likely to cause unhealthy levels of ozone in nine different Texas metropolitan areas. Including El Paso.
What Is The Big Deal With Ozone?
Ozone is a "harmful air pollutant" created when car emissions, certain weather conditions like high heat and sunlight have a chemical reaction with sunlight that creates "smog".
Exposure to unhealthy levels of ozone can lead to symptoms like breathing difficulties, a sore or scratchy throat, and coughing. It can also worsen existing chronic lung conditions.
"Some of these effects have been observed even in healthy individuals, but they can be more severe in people with lung diseases such as asthma," the EPA website said. "These effects may result in increased school absences, medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital admissions." - Newsweek
High ozone concentrations have resulted in deaths. El Paso has seen numerous ozone action days in the past and could see more throughout the "ozone season".