Air quality Houston: What to know about ozone season, pollutants

When vehicle and industrial emissions meet heat and sunlight, ozone pollution forms — and with sunny skies in the outlook for Houston, ozone season is in full swing and may prove harmful for sensitive groups, Air Alliance Houston reported.

Ozone season, lasting March through November in Houston, signifies higher levels of the pollutant, which has the potential to cause health issues for vulnerable populations. When at ground level, ozone can cause throat irritation, breathing difficulties, coughing and chest pain, Air Alliance Houston posted.

Memorial Day weekend forecast: Houston should be hot and dry

The summer heat contributes to this formation, hence creating an ozone season.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality releases ozone forecasts daily during the season. The ozone outlook through Sunday reports outdoor conditions were expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. When the air is designated to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, people with lung diseases, such as asthma, are advised to reduce exposure by limiting active time outdoors.

The Houston Health Department has issued multiple Asthma Air Aware Day Warnings in the past weeks, according to Air Alliance Houston. The warnings signify when the air quality in the city matches conditions that have produced ambulance-treated asthma attacks, according to the City of Houston.

In 2019, there were 364,000 people in Houston living with asthma.

Houstonains can register for AlertHouston to receive Asthma Air Aware Day Warnings.

Houston has had an increasing amount of ozone pollution, according to Air Alliance Houston. Last year marked the highest recorded levels in the past seven years, they reported.