Map Shows Rise in States Telling Drivers to Avoid Gas Stations

On Friday, four states advised drivers to avoid gas stations until ozone levels had improved.

Data from the National Weather Service (NWS) reveals that more states have started issuing air quality alerts in the past few days, urging drivers to avoid gas stations until ozone levels improve.

Over the past week, several states have been impacted by poor air quality, which has worsened as summer weather brings an influx in temperatures across multiple regions. In some instances, such as in Arizona, wildfire smoke can contribute to the poor air quality. On Friday morning, 10 states had air quality alerts in place, according to the NWS. Of those, four states urged drivers to avoid gas stations until ozone levels improved, which was expected to occur in the evening hours.

The alerts advising drivers against refueling their vehicles are in place in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Oklahoma as of Friday. Thursday saw the most states issue the warnings with Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Ohio officials advising some residents to refrain from refueling their cars until the evening hours. On Wednesday, Louisiana, Indiana, Ohio and Alabama had similar alerts in place. Only Alabama and Indiana had the gas station warning in place on Tuesday, and Louisiana had the alert in place on Monday.

Newsweek has reached out to the NWS by email for comment.

"Postpone any unnecessary driving and car pool if possible. If you do drive to work, turn the air conditioner in your car off during your morning commute," the alert in Oklahoma said. "You can also cut down on extra driving by bringing your lunch to work. If you must refuel your vehicle, do it in the evening after the sun goes down or postpone your fueling to another day."

Most alerts were issued when air quality was measured as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, or the orange category on AirNow, a coalition between the U.S. government and tribal agencies that monitors air quality. The air quality index (AQI) measures between 101 and 150 in that category.

"Code Orange conditions are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exertion," Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality said in its alert issued on Thursday. "Symptoms of ozone exposure may include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and eye and throat irritation."

The alert added: "To help reduce ozone formation, avoid driving at peak times during the day, such as lunchtime. Postpone or combine errands. Keep your car well tuned and avoid jack rabbit starts and excessive idling. Refuel motor vehicles and mow lawns during the late afternoon or evening hours only."

Last Friday, Texas officials urged residents in some areas to use different modes of transportation other than their cars as ozone pollution in the state reached concerning levels.

"Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone pollution in the Houston, Galveston, and surrounding areas on Friday," the alert posted by the NWS said. "You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive through lanes, conserving energy and keeping your vehicle properly tuned."

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