Unhealthy air forecast for today in North Texas
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:22 am
By DON WALL / WFAA ABC 8
State environmental officials issued a red-level air pollution advisory Wednesday for North Texas, signaling the unhealthiest air to date this year. The advisory means that high levels of ozone pollution would be expected.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality officials urged those sensitive to lung irritants to remain inside an air-conditioned room.
Eric Martello, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service, said the day would be marked by light winds, humidity and heat. The high temperature was expected to reach 98 degrees, with a heat index up to 102 degrees, he said.
“Stagnant, hot and humid … that’s what it’s going to feel like,” Martello said. “These light winds aren’t going to push the bad air out enough. This is a good day to stay inside.”
Although this is the first red pollution alert of 2005 in North Texas, ozone reached unhealthy levels three times in 2004, the last time on Sept. 10.
The red level represents unhealthy air conditions. It falls just below purple, very unhealthy, and black, which represents hazardous conditions.
Local leaders, health-care providers and environmentalists say health concerns are part of the cost of air pollution. There have been more trips to the emergency room and more children suffering asthma attacks, especially on high ozone days.
Wendi Hammond of the Blue Skies Alliance said the Environmental Protection Agency has had a poor history when it comes to successfully fighting air pollution.
"I think they have in the past," Hammond said. "I think they are trying to make up for the problems they've let happen in the past, and they have a very long way to go."
North Texas hasn't had an approved clean-air plan in eight years, but new EPA head Stephen Johnson told News 8 he plans to do something about that.
"I disagree with the delay notion," Johnson said. "I think there has been progress. Is there more progress to be made? Absolutely."
Johnson, sworn in by the president last month, is the first career scientist to head the EPA. He said new initiatives to reduce mercury emissions from power plants and cut diesel fumes from trucks are working.
Additionally new fuels and more efficient engines will clean up cars.
But the EPA wants to demand more pollution cuts from industry. For example, the TXI cement plant in Midlothian hopes to turn off some pollution controls part of the year to save fuel costs – changes the company said "will not add significantly to the ozone problem."
Environmentalists contest that claim, and the EPA believes the pollution controls are needed.
"Whether it's cement kilns or some other industries, we're at a crossroads," Johnson said. "We need to make sure the air is cleaner, both for Dallas-Fort Worth, for the state of Texas and for the nation."
DallasNews.com staff writer April Kinser contributed to this report.
State environmental officials issued a red-level air pollution advisory Wednesday for North Texas, signaling the unhealthiest air to date this year. The advisory means that high levels of ozone pollution would be expected.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality officials urged those sensitive to lung irritants to remain inside an air-conditioned room.
Eric Martello, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service, said the day would be marked by light winds, humidity and heat. The high temperature was expected to reach 98 degrees, with a heat index up to 102 degrees, he said.
“Stagnant, hot and humid … that’s what it’s going to feel like,” Martello said. “These light winds aren’t going to push the bad air out enough. This is a good day to stay inside.”
Although this is the first red pollution alert of 2005 in North Texas, ozone reached unhealthy levels three times in 2004, the last time on Sept. 10.
The red level represents unhealthy air conditions. It falls just below purple, very unhealthy, and black, which represents hazardous conditions.
Local leaders, health-care providers and environmentalists say health concerns are part of the cost of air pollution. There have been more trips to the emergency room and more children suffering asthma attacks, especially on high ozone days.
Wendi Hammond of the Blue Skies Alliance said the Environmental Protection Agency has had a poor history when it comes to successfully fighting air pollution.
"I think they have in the past," Hammond said. "I think they are trying to make up for the problems they've let happen in the past, and they have a very long way to go."
North Texas hasn't had an approved clean-air plan in eight years, but new EPA head Stephen Johnson told News 8 he plans to do something about that.
"I disagree with the delay notion," Johnson said. "I think there has been progress. Is there more progress to be made? Absolutely."
Johnson, sworn in by the president last month, is the first career scientist to head the EPA. He said new initiatives to reduce mercury emissions from power plants and cut diesel fumes from trucks are working.
Additionally new fuels and more efficient engines will clean up cars.
But the EPA wants to demand more pollution cuts from industry. For example, the TXI cement plant in Midlothian hopes to turn off some pollution controls part of the year to save fuel costs – changes the company said "will not add significantly to the ozone problem."
Environmentalists contest that claim, and the EPA believes the pollution controls are needed.
"Whether it's cement kilns or some other industries, we're at a crossroads," Johnson said. "We need to make sure the air is cleaner, both for Dallas-Fort Worth, for the state of Texas and for the nation."
DallasNews.com staff writer April Kinser contributed to this report.