by Annette Lown
CEC Intern

It's no secret that Houston has an air quality problem. However, it has been slow going in spreading the word about air pollution alert days, the effect high ozone levels have on the health and well-being of area residents, or what people can do on a personal level to help ameliorate the problem.

As a public health matter, two separate studies conducted by widely respected groups have brought some shocking information to light: Last year, more than 900 deaths, and as many as 3200 emergency room visits could be attributed to our area's air quality. Added to the human toll are the financial costs of health care, medication and lost work and school days. (SEE PARTICULATES ARTICLE)

While this issue is incredibly complex and must be attacked on several fronts, a coalition has been formed to raise awareness about air quality issues and offer practical, individual-level steps people can take to help ease the problem.

Clean Air Action is a local collection of organizations that has been formed to educate people on steps they can take to reduce ground level ozone and the risks involved in living with high levels of pollution. Their current focus is letting people know about ozone warnings and watches.

Ozone is a respiratory irritant. It forms at ground level when pollutants from cars, industries, and other sources react in sunlight. Seven million people are currently living in "non-attainment" areas, places where federal air quality standards are exceeded.

Shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and pain are just a few of the side affects of living in a severely polluted area. People who already suffer from any type of lung disease are especially affected.

Also at extremely high risk are children. Because they play outside and inhale more air pollution per pound of body weight than adults, and because their lungs are still developing, children face a greatly increased risk of developing respiratory problems.

The Clean Air Coalition is sponsoring a series of television and radio public service announcements and printed materials to increase the awareness of ground level ozone, inform the public on measures that can be taken to reduce ozone levels, and provide information on what people should do when the ozone level exceeds the health-based standard.

The Clean Air Coalition is a division of the Houston-Galveston Area Council and is composed of business, community service groups, local governments, transit agencies, environmental organizations, health care providers and others who are interested in improving our air quality. Some of the members include: Brazos Valley Transit, Black Rogers Sullivan Goodnight, Inc., the City of Houston, Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention, the Greater Houston Partnership, Harris County, the Houston Chronicle, the League of Women Voters -- Houston, Memorial Healthcare System, Metro, Presentation Express, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.