(Kate Galbraith/Texas Tribune)
Nestled near subdivisions north of Fort Worth stands equipment that measures air pollutants. On 26 days this year, readings at the site showed higher concentrations of lung-damaging ozone than is allowed by federal air-quality standards. All told, Dallas-Fort Worth violated ozone standards on more days this year — 32 so far — than anywhere else in Texas, including the greater Houston area
…A number of major metropolitan areas, including Dallas Fort-Worth, San Antonio, Austin and even Waco, exceeded federal limits on ozone on more days this year than last. In the Houston area, which includes Galveston and Brazoria, the number of bad-ozone days dropped slightly this year, to 29, but the pollution was especially severe on certain summer days. On June 6, an air-quality monitor in Galveston measured 112 parts per billion of ozone — higher than any reading in Texas since 2008.
Scientists are still trying to understand the reasons for this year’s statewide spike in ozone, which is largely a summer phenomenon. Possibilities include wildfires, drought and the summer’s extreme heat, all of which can contribute to ozone formation.
(Read full story at the Texas Tribune)
OTHER NEWS LINKS:
- Metro-Turberculosis Link Prompts Search for Solutions (Houston Chronicle)
- Galveston Landlords Among Most Ardent Housing Opponents (Galveston Daily News)
- Goodfellows Family ‘Blessed,’ But Still Needs Help (Houston Chronicle)
- Texas Blood Test Aims at Drunk Drivers (Wall Street Journal)
- Disillusioned Young Immigrant Kills Himself, Starting an Emotional Debate (New York Times)
- Exxon Mobil Predicts Surge in Hybrid Vehicles (Business Week)