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By Matthew Robinson
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Millions of Texans have been told to avoid drive-thru lanes amid concerns over high air pollution levels.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Ozone Action Day alerts for the San Antonio area, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria area on Wednesday.
The warnings mean ground-level ozone and particulate concentrations are forecast to reach dangerous levels.
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Why It Matters
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) said that ground-level ozone is of "particular importance because it is a respiratory toxic agent that can cause acute respiratory health effects when people breathe high concentrations of it over several hours."
It added: "These effects include decreased lung function and pain with deep breaths, and aggravated asthma symptoms."
What To Know
Wednesday's Ozone Action Day alerts were issued for the San Antonio area, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria area. These metropolitan areas have a combined population in excess of 17.3 million people.
These warnings are issued when weather conditions and air pollution are predicted to lead to harmful levels of ground-level ozone.
"Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution," the TCEQ said. "You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking or riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive through lanes, conserving energy, and keeping your vehicle properly tuned."
Drive‑thru lanes encourage prolonged idling, which increases motor vehicle emissions and ozone formation.
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What People Are Saying
Jonathan Grigg, a professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, previously told Newsweek that there are "very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
He added: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults."
The TCEQ said on its website: "Ground-level ozone is found at ground level (it is also called tropospheric ozone). It is not emitted directly into the air, but created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
"Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOCs. In addition, biogenic sources (living organisms or biological processes) release VOCs that can contribute to ground-level ozone.
"Summer days in Texas can be conducive for ozone formation as high-pressure systems dominate our local weather patterns, giving us clear skies and stagnant winds. Ozone mainly forms in the highest concentrations on warm, sunny days with light wind speeds and low relative humidity which allows more of the pollutant to form and accumulate."
What Happens Next
The current Ozone Action Day alerts are set to remain in force throughout Wednesday. Further warnings for Thursday may be issued at 3 p.m. CDT.
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