North Texas has seen 19 days of unhealthy air pollution so far this year, following a spike of high ozone levels in July and August.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued Ozone Action Day alerts on those days, informing residents, businesses and industries of high smog levels so they could help mitigate emissions, such as those coming from cars, motorized lawn equipment and industrial sites.
The alerts also urge the public to adjust daily routines to minimize health risks and exposure to unhealthy air conditions, according to the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the agency responsible for monitoring the region’s air quality.
In August, eight Ozone Action Day alerts were issued. That’s more than any other month this year so far. Still, it’s lower than August of last year when Dallas-Fort Worth had 13 days of unhealthy ozone levels.
In 2024, 43 ozone action alerts were issued for the region.
Ozone Action Days occur during high temperatures, sunny weather, light winds and a lack of atmospheric movement. When combined, these weather conditions can form unhealthy air quality, said Daniela Tower, council of governments air quality planner.
Levels of smog between 71 and 85 parts per billion are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, those with lung disease and people who are active outdoors.
Ozone can lead to health problems such as coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, lung infection and disease, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Poor air quality can also aggravate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.
What is ozone?
Ground-level ozone, or smog, forms when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides emitted by human activities and natural sources react in the sunlight, according to the council of governments. Vehicle emissions, power plants, industrial sites and area sources such as paints and motorized lawn equipment largely contribute to ground-level ozone.
The region is prone to lower levels of ozone when there is a combination of cooler temperatures, cloudy conditions, less radiation and potentially fewer emissions, Tower said.
This summer has been cooler than last year, which had 23 triple-digits days in Dallas-Fort Worth. The area reached triple digits on six days so far this year, according to the National Weather Service.
However, cooler temperatures do not always mean lower ozone levels.
Atmospheric conditions, including air quality, are complex and fast-changing due to low viscosity of air — the resistance of a liquid or gas, Tower said.
North Texas could see additional Ozone Action Days this year as smog typically spikes from March through October.
Under the EPA’s Clean Air Act, Fort Worth-area polluters or major sources of volatile organic compounds could face annual fines of $45 million if levels are not brought to or below 75 parts per billion, according to the state environmental commission.
The current design value of ozone for the region sits at 81 parts per billion for so far this year. The design value represents the average of the fourth-worst ozone day from each year in a three-year period, according to the council of governments.
Whether polluters will see those fines is unclear after the Trump administration unveiled plans to roll back several environmental policies earlier this year, including those on climate change and air quality.
Most recently, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to revoke a scientific finding that determines the health risks of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The proposal comes after President Donald Trump granted two-year exemptions from emissions limits to coal-fired plants, chemical companies and other air-polluting industries.
The proposal to scrap the EPA finding must go through a lengthy review process, including public comment, before changes are finalized, the Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, air quality planners with the council of governments are drafting the Dallas-Fort Worth Air Quality Improvement Plan, which lists strategies to improve air quality in the region through 2050.
In order to be eligible for continued federal EPA funds, the air quality plan must be finalized and submitted to the agency by Dec. 1.
Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org.
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