April 8, 2005
Ozone and dust in Texas, dust and smoke in Arizona
The dust concentration has increased in El Paso TX (AirNow). The image below from the “Texas Commission on Environmental Quality” (TCEQ) shows a very hazy horizon (southwest direction). The PM10 levels in El Paso County are as high as 125.3 ug/m3, which is considered moderate. Due to strong winds, the EPA AirNow predicts “moderate” to “unhealthy” conditions in El Paso and Phoenix AZ over the weekend.
TCEQ webcam and MODIS Rapidfire true color images
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The presence of fires in southwest Arizona also accounts for the poor air quality in the state. An image from MODIS Direct (above--right) shows a long smoke plume also visible on the HMS map. Click here to see original MODIS Direct image. According to EPA AirNow, the Huston-Galveston-Brazoria region in Texas is having an Action Day, due to moderate (65 ppb ? 84 ppb) to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (85 ppb ? 104 ppb) ozone levels. Monitoring sites registered ozone levels ranging from 86 ppb in San Antonio, to 109 ppb in Huston (Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission TNRCC).
TNRCC image
