In Texas, a pocket south-east of El Paso, including the towns of Socorro, San Elizario, Fabens, and Tornillo, face ozone and particulate matter (PM) readings in the “unhealthy” category.<\/p>\n
At these air pollution levels, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that sensitive groups avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider rescheduling moving them indoors.<\/p>\n
The EPA also advises that the remainder of the population reduces long or intense activities, and to take more breaks during outdoor activities.<\/p>\n
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Why It Matters<\/p>\n
Officials and experts say that\u00a0worsening air quality increases<\/a>\u00a0health risks for vulnerable groups,\u00a0including older adults<\/a>, children, and people with respiratory conditions.<\/p>\n What To Know<\/p>\n The\u00a0Air Quality<\/a>\u00a0Index\u00a0measures air pollution on a scale<\/a>\u00a0from 0 to 301 and above:<\/p>\n 0\u201450 (Green):\u00a0Good \u2014 air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.51\u2014100 (Yellow):\u00a0Moderate \u2014 air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.101\u2014150 (Orange):\u00a0Unhealthy for sensitive groups \u2014 members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.151\u2014200 (Red):\u00a0Unhealthy \u2014 some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.201\u2014300 (Purple):\u00a0Very unhealthy \u2014 health alert. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.301 and higher (Maroon):\u00a0Hazardous \u2014 health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.<\/p>\n AirNow, an air quality data resource, is a partnership between the EPA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and several other agencies.<\/p>\n Separately, a mandatory wood-burning ban for residents in the South Coast Air Basin in California\u2014which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties\u2014is in effect for Saturday.<\/p>\n The rule bans burning wood, pellets, and manufactured fire logs in any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.<\/p>\n An air quality alert for the area published by the National Weather Service said<\/a>: “Particles in smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause health problems (including asthma attacks), increases in emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. No-Burn Days are needed to protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin. No-Burn Days are based on fine particle pollution levels that are forecasted for an entire 24-hour period, which may not be reflected in real-time air quality maps.”<\/p>\n Exemptions from the no-burn day alert include areas above 3,000 feet in elevation, the Coachella Valley, the High Desert, homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service.<\/p>\n What People Are Saying<\/p>\n