Herminia Palacio, MD, M.P.H.

Executive Director

Public Health & Environmental Services

2223 West Loop South

Houston, Texas 77027
 
Phone: (713) 439-6000

Fax: (713) 439-6080

 

 

September 8, 2003

 

 

** HEALTH ADVISORY**

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rita Obey

(713)439-6293

                                                                                                 

             

Air Quality Warning/Health Advisory:
Air Quality in Harris County May Reach Level Red

 

 

Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) is issuing an “Air Quality Warning/Health Advisory” for the Harris County-Galveston area.  Level Red Ozonemay be reached.  High ozone levels may have detrimental health effects.  Current ozone has already reached Level Orange and indications are that it will continue to climb to Level Red.

 

“LEVEL RED” means that the air quality is considered “Unhealthy” for All Groups.  HCPHES recommends that people avoid prolonged outdoor exertion during Level Red ozone conditions.

 

Active people of all ages are at increased risk of experiencing negative health effects because during physical activity ozone penetrates deeper into the parts of the lungs that are more vulnerable to injury.  Also, those with respiratory diseases may experience health effects earlier and at lower ozone levels than less sensitive individuals.

 

HEALTH EFFECTS of high levels of ozone might include coughing, throat irritation, an uncomfortable feeling in the chest, and/or difficulty breathing.  Ozone also makes people more sensitive to allergens, the most common triggers of asthma attacks.  Ozone can also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.

 

To view current ozone levels, go to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s web site at: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us//cgi-bin/monops/select_curlev?region12_cur.gif.  To receive emails regarding ozone Watches and Warnings from specific ozone monitors, go to the Harris County Office of Emergency Management’s website at: http://www.hcoem.org/ and select “Subscribe to Ozone Alerts”.  Individuals (especially parents, athletic coaches, school nurses, health care professionals and those with respiratory illnesses) are encouraged to sign-up for these email notices. Additional information go to:  http://www.hd.co.harris.tx.us/pcd/pcd.htm  and http://www.tceq.state.tx.us//air/monops/index.html#ozdata.