In 1999, only three of the 36 plants who pledged to reduce emissions had actually done so, and one year after implementing the program, less than half of one percent of emission from the grandfathered plants had been reduced. As a result of Bush's flawed plan, almost 230,000 Texas children in seven urban counties may be exposed to as much as 295,000 tons of air pollution each year because they attend schools within two miles of older industrial plants that are under the voluntary permit program. In 1998, Texas released more than 110 million pounds of toxic air pollution-the state with the second highest emissions emitted about 75 million pounds. In 1999, Houston for the first time overtook Los Angeles as the city with the most violations of federal health ozone standards. In 1999, Houston also had higher peak days than Los Angeles.
Ozone is a key component of smog, and a respiratory irritant.
In fact, pollution in Houston was so bad, even if every car were taken off the road, Houston would still not be incompliance with federal safe ozone levels. So Bad Houston Schools Use Smog Meters to See If Children can Play Outside. In 1999, Houston ozone was so bad that Harris County Judge Robert Eckels announced a new system to notify area schools when the smog levels made it dangerous for students to practice sports outside. Ozone is the main ingredient in smog, and a respiratory irritant. Ago, Bush Didn't Know What Land and Water Conservation Fund Was.