HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8132 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8132
vk-118NTE gFb To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 19, 1998
1 rll 111.
Nxx Subject:
1873 Status Report on Haze in North Texas
Smoke from fires burning in Central and South America that has traveled north, affecting
the gulf coast region, have prompted Texas State health officials to issue a health warning
in South Texas. This smoke, resulting from wildfires started by out of control land clearing,
has been transported into the Fort Worth area on the recent strong southerly winds.
Smoke from these fires has affected the southern states up to Kansas and as far east as
Florida. Fort Worth is now included in the State's health watch area, which is set to expire
at noon, Monday, May 18, 1998.
Concerns about health affects as a result of exposure to the smoke have risen throughout
the City and the County. While air quality monitoring, performed by the State of Texas
and the Department of Environmental Management's, Air Quality Division, have shown
that the overall quality of the air in Fort Worth is "good", as rated by The Pollution
Standard Index, the State has issued a health alert for the Fort Worth area. Air quality
readings in Fort Worth were 55 parts per billion of ozone and 14 micrograms per cubic
meter of particulate matter on May 13, 1998. Readings for May 14, 1998 were 71 parts per
billion of ozone and 46 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter. The
Environmental Protection Agency standards are 120 parts per billion of ozone and 155
micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter,
A Haze Hotline (1-800-687-4040) has been established by the State for persons with
questions about the haze and its potential health affects. The levels of particulate matter
measured should not cause an increased risk to healthy individuals. At risk persons,
including children, the elderly, and persons with respiratory illness, such as asthma and
emphysema, or heart problem, should not be at risk from exposure to the current levels of
smoke.
At this time, no special precautions need to be taken by healthy adults. As a precaution
however, at risk persons should limit exposure and avoid prolonged physical exertion.
Given the high temperatures and elevated humidity, heat exposure concerns should be
addressed. Persons working or exercising outdoors should wear light clothes, work in the
shade as much as possible, take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of liquids
ro
Bob Terrell
City Manager
. .............
r.
I rr ,
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS