• Air Quality

    The following interim procedure is recommended regarding health restrictions and physical activity during “unhealthy” ozone as determined by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

    Notification Procedure - In the event that air pollution levels exceed federal clean air standards, a health advisory is issued or an air pollution episode is declared, Health and Medical Services Department will notify school sites and administrative offices via e-mail.

    Affected sites will be notified of the beginning and/or ending of the health advisory via an e-mail to school sites and administrative offices.

    Site Administrators will:

    Alert teachers, staff and all other site users regarding the implementation of health advisory:

    • Observe appropriate physical activity restrictions.
    • Inform parents concerned specifically about their children to:

    Contact their children’s school nurse and teacher if their child has a history of respiratory problems, which may be affected by elevated levels of outdoor air pollution.

    If their children are involved in athletic activities or after school programs, they should discuss their concerns with their coaches or instructors.

    Recommended Restriction of Physical Activities

    HISD will follow the TCEQ recommended limits on activity for each type of episode:

    Ozone Watch (Orange) - For periods of air quality that are unhealthy for sensitive groups (i.e., exceeding the federal clean air standards) with an Orange air quality index color:

    • Susceptible individuals (e.g., children with heart or lung disease) should minimize outdoor activity.
    • Healthy individuals with noticeable health effects associated with existing conditions should minimize outdoor activity.

    Ozone Warning (Red) - For periods of air quality that are unhealthy with a Red air quality index color:

    • All children should discontinue prolonged, vigorous exercise lasting longer than one hour.
    • Susceptible individuals (e.g., children with heart or lung disease) should avoid outdoor activity.
    • Examples of the kinds of outdoor activities that should be avoided are calisthenics, basketball, running, soccer, football, tennis, swimming and water polo.

    Ozone "Unhealthy" (Purple) - For periods of air quality that are unhealthy with a Purple air quality index color:

    • All children should discontinue vigorous outdoor activities, regardless of duration.
    • All outdoor physical education classes, sports practices and athletic competitions should be rescheduled or canceled, if practicable. Stay in contact with Athletic Director for full instruction for athletic sports and athletic competition.

    *The Texas Council on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the environmental agency for the state with education as on of it's responsibilities. Please visit their website for related educational resources.

    Visit the www.airnow.gov to sign up for email notification of air pollution and ozone level warnings.