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August 25, 2010                                                                           Environmental Services  485-3230

  Ozone Action Day Declared for Thursday, August 26

(VICTORIA, TEXAS)  The Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has declared an Ozone Action Day for Thursday, August 26, 2010 for the City of Victoria. Weather forecasts indicate light northeast winds and warm temperatures for tomorrow, a combination that allows organic compounds and nitrogen oxides to react in sunlight to form ground-based ozone.

Persons sensitive to ozone pollution and with allergies, asthma and respiratory illness may suffer from exposure to outdoor air on ozone action days. Older adults and children are particularly prone to ozone related respiratory illnesses.  Other at risk groups include those who work or exercise outdoors.

Ozone Action Days are important because Victoria is close to exceeding the federal air quality limit for ground-level ozone.  Should Victoria exceed the limit, it will face complying with costly regulations and controls that could hamper economic growth and development. 

Residents can help keep ozone levels lower by following these tips:

1. Limit driving. Carpool to work or school; avoid high-speed driving and rush hour traffic.
2. Use alternative transportation.
3. Take your lunch to work, instead of going out.
4. Combine all your driving errands into one trip.
5. Avoid idling of vehicles.  Idling a car for more than 30 seconds produces more emissions than turning it off and restarting the engine.
6. Wait until after 5:00 P.M. to refuel your car.  In the heat of the day, the vapors that escape can contribute to ozone formation.
7. Don’t top off your gas tank.  This usually results in gas spilling onto the ground or venting into the air and contributes to ground-level ozone formation.
8. Keep your vehicle properly tuned to keep exhaust levels low.
9. Wait until after 5:00 P.M. to use gasoline-powered lawn equipment.

  10. Conserve electricity.  Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.  Set your air conditioner thermostat for your AC a few degrees higher. By using less electricity, power plants burn less fossil fuel and create less pollution.

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