North San Antonio Edition | May 2023

Health concerns

Ozone in the air can cause or worsen health problems, especially for those with underlying health issues or lung conditions.

About 80% of ozone pollution in the San Antonio area travels in the air from around the country and the world. The San Antonio area contributes 19% of its own ozone pollution—the majority of that coming from automobiles.

Doctor visits, school absences 3

Reduced lung function 1

Emergency department visits 4

Environmental Quality as one in which the forecast calls for high ozone levels. Residents and businesses are advised to take steps to reduce pollutants. “On high ozone days, it becomes hard to breathe,” Cunningham said. “Even for healthy people, it becomes dicult because things are still; it is hot; and the ozone levels are rising.” Community involvement Mobile sources contribute 29.7% of area pollution. The community can play a part in cutting back on ozone Mobile (cars, trucks, automobiles): 29.7% Point (smokestacks, factories, coal, cement): 25.2% Nonroad (airplanes, boats): 18.3% Area (gas stations, stores, shopping): 12.2% Oil and gas (petrochemical production, fuel plants): 7.4% Biogenics (natural pollutants): 4.7% O road (ATVs, o-road vehicles): 2.5%

Respiratory symptoms,

Death

asthma attacks

NOTE: THE CHART PROGRESSION INDICATES THE PORTION OF THE POPULATION AFFECTED 1 BEING THE HIGHEST NUMBER AFFECTED AND 5 BEING THE LOWEST. THE LIST IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE. SOURCE: SAN ANTONIO OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Pollutants in San Antonio

How to help

Residents can help reduce ozone pollution by making adjustments to daily activities.

Maintain yard equipment: Consider using tools without gasoline motors. Use paint and cleaning products with fewer or zero volatile organic compounds.

Refuel in the evening.

Limit driving and idling: Use public transportation or carpool.

function, cardiac eects, asthma attacks, increased doctor visits, hospi- tal admissions and—in extreme cases— death, Cunningham said. “As the ozone levels go up, it becomes harder,” he said. “Unfortu- nately, we may see increases in the number of people that are aected.” While many of the eects are more likely in those with underlying con- ditions, on high ozone days, healthy people can also suer. An Ozone Action Day is dened by The Texas Commission on

SOURCE: SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN HEALTH DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

pollution by carpooling, taking fewer trips during the day, refueling in the evening, not idling and using public transportation, Cunningham said. Homeowners can also look into alternative energy sources for their homes, such as solar panels. “These little things sound like they may not be much, but if we all work together and contribute a

small amount, I think there would be a tremendous improvement,” Cunningham said. Edmond Ortiz contributed to this report.

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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • MAY 2023