Corpus Christi Air Quality Impacted by Elevated Levels of Particle Matter

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality report that the Coastal Bend is expected to experience elevated Particle Matter (PM) levels throughout today and into Tuesday.

PM (also called particle pollution) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen, but others are too small to see.

The PM is caused by light to moderate residual smoke from central-southern Mexico, Central America, and the Yucatan Peninsula. It will likely continue being transported northward into the eastern two-thirds of the state. Meanwhile, light to moderate winds could facilitate urban haze, particularly in the more populated areas. The combination will keep elevated levels of PM for the Corpus Christi area.

Corpus Christi is expected to see PM levels in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" range. It is advised that people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens reduce their exposure by choosing less strenuous activities or shortening the time they are active outdoors.

People with lung diseases such as asthma and those routinely active outdoors for six or more hours a day may experience shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation.

Individuals can self-monitor the air quality for their specific zip code/city by visiting www.airnow.gov or https://www.cctexas.com/detail/air-quality-monitoring-0.

For media inquiries, contact Public Information Officer Cassandra Hinojosa at 361-826-2944 or [email protected].