What is an ozone watch and do you need to worry about it in Dallas? Here’s what to know

North Texans may have gotten alerts about the air quality this week. But what exactly does that mean?
Those new to Texas or not as familiar with air quality control may not recognize or heed the alert the same way they would a thunderstorm warning or tornado watch, but it’s worth noting — especially as the “ozone season” is upon us.
Ground-level ozone is a common air pollutant that can be harmful to human health. The pollutant forms when certain organic compounds interact with sunlight and intense heat.
Between May and September, there were 34 “exceedance days,” meaning the air quality became unhealthy for some people in North Texas, according to data kept by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The ground-level ozone rose high enough to cause an alert in Dallas-Fort Worth on again Wednesday and Thursday.
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Yes, but there are two very different kinds of ozone, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
There’s stratospheric ozone, which is naturally found in the earth’s atmosphere anywhere from 6 to 30 miles above the ground. This acts as a protective layer shielding us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Ground-level ozone, also called tropospheric ozone, is a pollutant that causes concern at high levels.
Ozone season lasts the majority of the year in D-FW, according to Air North Texas. March through November is when ground-level ozone levels are highest.
Weather patterns play a major role in air quality, so there’s a higher risk of pollutants such as ground-level ozone when there are higher temperatures and less wind.
Ozone levels usually rise during the day and peak in the late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. When daylight goes away, ozone concentrations decrease.
According to the Texas Department of Environmental Quality, sensitive groups include people with lung disease such as asthma; older adults; children and teenagers; and people who are active outdoors.
Particle pollution in the air has been linked to health problems such as coughing and wheezing, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Sometimes the impacts are more extreme, leading to asthma attacks or strokes.
You can check the air quality and see if there are any warnings at AirNow.gov or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website.
Some of the steps Air North Texas recommends taking to improve air quality can be done at home or during your commute. Those include: