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What is groundlevel ozone and where does it come from?

Groundlevel ozone is the main ingredient in urban smog. In the presence of sunlight and heat, gaseous air pollutants react to produce groundlevel ozone. These pollutants have many sources. Some are obvious, like automobiles, trucks, buses, and industrial smokestacks. Others are not, like gasoline stations, outboard motors, lawn, garden, farm, and construction equipment, oilbased paints and household products.

 ACCESS THESE USEFUL WEB SITES

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov

Natural Resource Conservation Commission
www.tnrcc.state.tx.us

Alamo Area Council of Governments
www.aacog.dst.tx.us

The American Lung Association
www.lungusa.org

City of San Antonio
www.ci.sat.tx.us

 

Is ozone hazardous to my health?

High concentrations of groundlevel ozone can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and pain with deep breaths. People who suffer from lung diseases like emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and colds can have even more trouble breathing when the air is polluted. These effects can be worse in anyone who spends significant periods of time exercising or working outdoors on highozone days.

 

A DOZEN THINGS YOU CAN DO

    •Share a ride to work or take the bus (VIA: 362-2020 or AACOG Ride Share: 362-5200).
    •Walk or ride a bicycle to work.
    •Walk to lunch or take your lunch to work.
    •Combine errands into one trip
    •Avoid drivethrough lanes
    •Postpone refueling your vehicle until after 6 p.m.
    •Don't top off your gas tank when refueling
    •Postpone using gasoline engines like lawnmowers until after 6 p.m
    •Keep your vehicle properly tuned to keep exhaust levels low.
    •Replace old gas caps with vapor locking ones
    •Report Smoking Vehicles by calling 1-800-453-SMOG
    •Share these tips with family and friends

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR
TO OFFER SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT
INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DIVISION @ 335-6700

This page was last updated Tuesday, January 30, 2007
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