High ozone levels are expected across The Woodlands area Monday, Aug. 31, prompting state and federal agencies to urge residents to limit outdoor activity and reduce driving.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued the Ozone Action Day for the Houston, Galveston and Brazoria area, according to an alert relayed by the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston on Sunday, Aug. 30. The Woodlands falls within the NWS Houston/Galveston coverage zone.
The alert warns that atmospheric conditions are expected to produce high levels of ozone pollution across the Houston, Galveston and surrounding areas Monday. The NWS described Monday as a second consecutive Ozone Action Day for the region, indicating Sunday also carried an ozone alert.
Who is most at risk
Children are especially vulnerable.
Ground-level ozone poses the greatest threat to people with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, according to the U.S. National Park Service. Children's lungs are still developing, putting them at higher risk. Older adults and anyone who exercises or works outdoors also face elevated exposure.
What residents can do
The TCEQ alert lists several steps residents can take to reduce ozone pollution and protect their health:
- Share rides or carpool
- Walk or ride a bicycle instead of driving
- Bring lunch to work instead of using drive-through lanes
- Conserve energy at home
- Keep vehicles properly tuned
NWS Houston posted on X Sunday, Aug. 30, that residents should limit outdoor activities to early morning or late evening, when ozone levels tend to be lower.
A multi-day pattern
The back-to-back alerts suggest ozone conditions have been building across the region. NWS Houston posted on X on Saturday, Aug. 29, that Sunday, Aug. 30, was also an Ozone Action Day, advising residents to carpool or limit driving and save strenuous outdoor activity for early morning or late evening.
Residents can check future air quality forecasts at airnow.gov or weather.gov/houston.
