Millions of Texans were urged to take action on Thursday as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued air quality alerts for several major areas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria.
The warning comes as pollution levels, especially ground-level ozone, reached potentially unhealthy levels, prompting concern for public health and safety.
Why the Alert Matters
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has raised concerns about ozone levels, particularly for vulnerable groups such as:
People with asthma
Children
Senior citizens
Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors
Breathing ozone-polluted air can cause health problems like:
Coughing
Trouble breathing
Inflammation and damage to airways
Even healthy people may feel the effects, especially during outdoor activities like exercising or working in the sun.
What’s Happening in Texas
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued an ozone action day for the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Thursday. According to the NWS, the current weather conditions — sunny skies, high temperatures, and stagnant air — are ideal for forming high ozone levels.
A similar air quality alert was also issued for the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria regions.
The alerts are part of a broader issue affecting several parts of the U.S. due to various environmental factors, including wildfire smoke.
What Texans Can Do to Help
To reduce pollution and protect your health, the NWS and local authorities recommend:
Carpooling or using public transport
Walking or cycling instead of driving short distances
Avoiding drive-through lanes to reduce idling time
Refueling your car in the evening, when ozone formation is lower
Keeping your vehicle properly maintained
Even small steps can make a big difference in improving air quality.
Wider Impact Across the U.S.
Texas wasn’t the only state affected. Additional air quality alerts were issued for areas in:
Nebraska (due to smoke from Canadian wildfires)
Wyoming
Oregon
Montana
California
In California’s San Joaquin Valley, alerts were issued for counties including Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Kern due to multiple wildfires like the Garnet and Marmon fires. Similarly, in Montana and Wyoming, strong winds combined with wildfire smoke led to poor air quality conditions.
What Experts Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham explained that ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it’s not directly released from vehicles or factories. Instead, it forms when sunlight and heat cause chemical reactions between pollutants in the air — especially during the warmer months.
“When air is stagnant, pollutants don’t get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels,” he said.
The NWS in Missoula, Montana, also shared a warning on social media, saying that changing wind patterns could increase the spread of smoke from Canadian wildfires, further reducing air quality in parts of the U.S.
As ozone levels rise and wildfire smoke spreads, millions across Texas and other states are being reminded of the serious health risks linked to air pollution.
Simple everyday actions, like carpooling or reducing outdoor activities during alerts, can help protect yourself and your community. Stay updated on local air quality reports and take precautions, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
