[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisories for Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisories for Saturday, May 31 and
Sunday, June 1

PHOENIX (May 30, 2008) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has issued High Pollution Advisories (HPAs) for the Phoenix
metropolitan area for Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1.  Forecast
weather conditions are expected to generate levels of ozone that may
exceed the federal health standard. 

These will be  the fourth and fifth HPAs issued for ozone this year.  

ADEQ recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid
outdoor activities during the weekend and suggests that the general
public limit outdoor activity. 

Valley residents should reduce ozone-producing emissions by taking the
following steps: 

Drive as little as possible: car pool, use mass transit or telecommute.
For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro:
www.valleymetro.org 

Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment. 

Refuel vehicles after 4 p.m. 

Avoid idling your vehicle. 

Make sure your car's tires are properly inflated and your wheels are
aligned. 

Be careful not to spill gasoline when filling up your car or
gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment. 

Seal containers of household cleaners, workshop chemicals and solvents
and garden chemicals to prevent gases from evaporating into the air. 

Dispose of containers properly. 

"We may be heading into a tough ozone season this summer.  Increasing
temperatures and other conditions are contributing to higher ozone
levels," ADEQ Director Steve Owens. "This weekend is just the beginning
of June, and already we have had a number of HPAs for high ozone levels
this season. We urge Valley residents to take steps to help reduce
emissions that lead to the formation of ozone." 

Ground-level ozone pollution is caused by the interaction of sunlight
with the many pollutants generated by automobiles, gasoline-powered lawn
equipment and other sources. Ozone can irritate the respiratory system,
reduce lung function, aggravate asthma and other chronic lung conditions
and inflame and damage the cells that line the lungs. Repeated
short-term ozone damage to children's developing lungs may lead to
reduced lung function in adulthood. 

Daily air quality forecasts are available on ADEQ's Web site or by
telephone at (602) 771-2367. To get the air quality forecast via email,
subscribe to our daily forecast list: www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html  

You can also sign up for HPA text-message alerts: www.azdeq.gov/sms.html


-30-

News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR 
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific 
individual(s) to whom it is addressed.  It may contain information that is 
privileged and confidential under state and federal law.  This information 
may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be 
subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the 
information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-
mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-
mail, and then delete the original e-mail.  Thank you.