<pre><code> My son is now junior high, who really anticipates entering the Rice University at Houston. Problem is that he has such a weak lung and so asthma. We have never lived in there, but I heard that the area of Houston has excessive ozone levels and is ranked among the most ozone-polluted cities in the United States. I am really worried about my son’s health when he goes to the Rice University. I would like to know air pollution in there is really bad for the person like my son to live. It will be greatly appreciated if someone tells me the air situation of the Houston area. Thanks.
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<p>Rice is in an upscale part of Houston and is thriving with trees, creating a very park-like atmosphere. When you're on campus, you don't notice that Rice is actually in downtown Houston, even when you can see the skylines and skyscrapers. It's a very small yet very contained, and "secluded" campus.</p>
<p>I've never lived in Houston prior to coming to Rice, but I'd say on campus air pollution is definitely not an issue. There are lots and lots of leafy trees (although Hurricane Ike uprooted and deformed some of them) all around. </p>
<p>I'm sure that I cannot say the same for other parts of Houston, but the part where Rice is in, it's very nice and there definitely is no excessive air pollution.</p>
<p>I'd say the pollution has not been noticeable at all since I moved here a couple of months ago. Rice is full of trees and does feel like a park, and you can barely even notice you're close to downtown (although all the construction does take away from that a bit). And I would guess that the pollution problems are more serious in the summer with all the heat, but during most of the school year it seems to be pretty nice around here.
The only way to know would be to consult a doctor or have him visit for a week.</p>
<p>When i visited Rice ( I have asthma and bronchitis), the pollution around the Rice area was not bad at all. Their are alot of trees and shade so its quiet relaxing and enviromentally friendly. If you , perhaps, go into downtown Houston , I heard theirs alot of smog and pollution due to factories and manufacturing plants etc.</p>
<p>Well below my home town of Riverside, CA. Strangely, in my trips to Houston, the air always looks, smells and feels beautifully clear to me, which isn't the case in Southern California. I know not all pollutants are visible, though. As in CA, pollution is probably at its worst in the hottest months, when school isn't in session, but if I had a child with asthma I'd probably talk to a doctor about what ozone level is too high.</p>
<p>You might want to consider talking to someone at the student health center, if you do come for a visit. They may be able to tell you if the air quality seems to affect students with asthma.</p>