[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Issues a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Ozone for the Phoenix Metro Area for Saturday and Sunday, June 05-06, 2010

Fri Jun 4 14:12:54 MST 2010

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is issuing a High
Pollution Advisory (HPA) for ozone for the first time this year on
Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6. 

The HPA is being issued because high pressure will continue to
strengthen throughout the weekend producing the hottest temperatures of
the year. Atmospheric conditions likely will lock ozone and its
precursors over the Valley of the Sun with expected highest ozone levels
on Sunday. 

As a result, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department is enforcing the
mandatory "No Burn Day" restriction for Maricopa County for Saturday and
Sunday. Residents and businesses must refrain from burning wood in
fireplaces, woodstoves or outdoor fire pits during this 24-hour period.
This restriction includes individuals and businesses that have burn
permits for open burning.  Restrictions also include the use of leaf
blowers on governmental properties.

ADEQ recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid
outdoor activities after noon on Saturday and Sunday and suggests that
the general public limit outdoor activity during the afternoon, when
ozone concentrations will be peaking.

"Ozone pollution is a serious threat to public health for people in the
Phoenix metropolitan area and we urge everyone to take precautions this
weekend," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles.

The Maricopa County Trip Reduction program and Valley Metro Business
Services request employers activate their HPA Plan. Residents and
employers are asked to use these tips to help make the air healthier to
breathe:  

*	Drive as little as possible: car pool, use public transit or
telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit
Valley Metro: www.valleymetro.org <http://www.valleymetro.org/>  .
*	Do not light a wood-burning fire during the advisory period
*	Cut back on the use of 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.

OZONE BACKGROUND:  Ground level ozone 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 cells that line the
lungs. Repeated short-term ozone damage to children's developing lungs
may lead to reduced lung function in adulthood. The months of April
through September make up the Phoenix metropolitan area's ozone season. 

WHO'S WHO? 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality [ADEQ] provides a daily
forecast for air quality. When conditions exist, ADEQ will issue high
pollution advisories, health watches and alerts. Daily air quality
forecasts are on ADEQ's Web site at 
www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf  or by calling
(602)771-2367. Those interested in receiving the air quality forecast
via email can subscribe to

ADEQ's forecast list at www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html and text alerts at 
www.azdeq.gov/sms.html

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department issues No Burn Day
restrictions based on a High Pollution Advisory or Health Watch.
Certain restrictions can be issued depending on the type of pollution.
Learn more about the restrictions by visiting the department's website: 
www.maricopa.gov/aq and click on the "Current Restrictions" link on the
left side of the home page.  To find out if any burn restrictions are in
place, call 602-506-6400 or visit www.cleanairmakemore.com
<http://www.cleanairmakemore.com/>  .  Information is given in both
English and Spanish.

Valley Metro/RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to
residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel
bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, online carpool matching and bus
trip mapping, and bicycle and telecommuting assistance. Funding is
provided by local, state and federal revenues and administered by a
board of 15 governments working to improve and regionalize the public
transit system. www.ValleyMetro.org <http://www.valleymetro.org/>   

Media contacts: 

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality [ADEQ]

Mark Shaffer - 602-771-2215 desk / 480-433-9551 cell

Maricopa County Air Quality Department

Holly Ward - 602-506-6713 desk / 602-526-7307 cell

Valley Metro

Susan Tierney - 602-262-4668 desk / 602-292-4093 cell

-30-

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