High ozone levels are affecting the League City area through at least Friday, Oct. 23, prompting state and federal agencies to warn residents about outdoor air quality.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued an Ozone Action Day for the Houston, Galveston and Brazoria area on Oct. 23, according to an alert posted by the Galveston County Daily News. The Air Quality Alert runs until 9:30 p.m. Friday. League City falls within Galveston County.
The National Weather Service Houston-Galveston office posted on X on Wednesday, Oct. 21, that high ozone levels were expected across the Houston-Galveston area "through Sunday." However, the NWS website, updated Thursday evening, listed an Ozone Action Day only for Friday, Oct. 23, warning that atmospheric conditions favor high ozone pollution across Houston, Galveston and surrounding areas through Friday evening.
Fox 26 Houston reported the alert is a caution mainly for people with heart and lung conditions to limit outdoor time in the afternoon.
Who faces the greatest risk
Children, older adults, people with asthma or other lung diseases, and anyone who works or exercises outdoors face the highest risk from elevated ozone, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Children are especially vulnerable because their lungs are still developing and they are more likely to be active outdoors when ozone peaks, the EPA states. The EPA's AirNow guide notes children also breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.
Ozone exposure can cause coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing and pain when taking a deep breath. It can also inflame airways, make lungs more susceptible to infection and increase the frequency of asthma attacks, the EPA states.
What residents can do
Ground-level ozone forms when vehicle exhaust and industrial pollutants react in sunlight, according to the AirNow guide. It peaks in the afternoon and early evening.
The NWS recommends residents limit driving or carpool, restrict outdoor activities to early morning or late evening, and stay aware that conditions are unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The TCEQ offered additional steps: walk or bike instead of driving, bring lunch to work to avoid drive-through lanes, conserve energy and keep vehicles properly tuned.
People with asthma should follow their asthma action plan and keep quick-relief medicine handy, the AirNow guide advises.
Weather outlook
Mostly sunny skies with highs in the low to mid 80s and light southeast winds of 5 to 10 mph are expected Friday, according to the NWS. Warm, dry conditions are forecast to continue as high pressure sits over the region, with highs peaking near the mid to upper 80s later in the week.
Rain chances return early next week, the NWS forecast shows.
