Millions of Texans Have Been Warned To Avoid Drive-Thru Lanes, Here’s Why

Imagine waking up to an alert advising you to avoid drive-thru lanes and suggesting that you walk to lunch or pack your own lunch. Or maybe just advise you to stay home.

That's exactly the type of alert and recommendations that many in Southeast Texas got on Wednesday morning from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality after they declared today a Ozone Action Day for areas of Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria.

What is an Ozone Action Day in Texas?

When the National Weather Service warns that weather conditions can lead to producing high levels of ozone pollution, it leads the TCEQ or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is issue an Ozone Action Day. According to Newsweek, that is happening on Wednesday, April 9 for the millions of people who live in the areas of Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria.

According to Newsweek, the EPA claims that even being exposed to elevated ozone for a short time can lead to difficulties breathing, asthma, and lung inflammation. Newsweek reports that Houston's ozone levels with approach or exceed what the EPA considers healthy when it comes to the Air Quality Index. If the AGI is above 100, it can be unhealthy for "sensitive populations".

Do Texans Have To Stay Away From Drive-Thru Lanes On Ozone Action Days?

Not exactly. The Ozone Action Day just pushes out information on what residents can voluntarily do to improve the ozone and keep the air clean. One of the recommendations on Ozone Action Days is to avoid idling in drive-thru lanes.

Ozone Action Day Recommendations for Texans

According to Newsweek the TCEQ's "Take Care Texas" outlines what residents can do to reduce ozone formation. That includes walking to work or to lunch, avoid mid-day driving, conserve electricity, pack a lunch, driving less, and as has been mentioned, avoid idling including in drive-thru spots.