[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues High Pollution Advisory for Particulate Matter for Wednesday, June 6

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues High Pollution Advisory for Particulate Matter for
Wednesday, June 6

PHOENIX (June 5, 2007) - The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Wednesday, June 6 for the
Phoenix metropolitan area due to forecast weather conditions which are
expected to generate levels of coarse Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) or
dust that could exceed unhealthy levels. 

The HPA is being issued for Wednesday because windy conditions predicted
to be as high as 40 miles per hour are expected to result in unhealthy
levels of airborne PM10 particles. It is the third HPA issued for PM10
in 2007.

"A High Pollution Advisory for PM10 in the month of June is rare, but we
are experiencing a weather pattern that will bring high winds to the
Valley and stir up a lot of dust," said ADEQ Director Steve Owens. "This
just underscores the need to get the Valley's particulate pollution
problem under control."
 
Owens added that ADEQ has been working on legislation to enact new
measures to reduce dust pollution in the Valley that may be voted on by
the Legislature in the next week or so.  "We hope the Legislature will
take action soon," Owens said.  "Our pollution problem isn't going to
solve itself."      

ADEQ recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid
outdoor activities on Wednesday and suggests that the general public
limit outdoor activity throughout the day. Employers participating in
the Valley's Trip Reduction Program should implement their pollution
reduction action plans and all Valley residents should reduce
particulate matter-producing emissions by taking the following steps:

Car pool, use mass transit, telecommute and/or reduce driving. 
Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
Avoid activities that generate dust, such as driving on dirt roads.
Stabilize loose soils. 
Eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.

PM10 refers to particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller.
Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause
serious health effects, including increased respiratory symptoms,
irritation of the airways, coughing, difficulty breathing, decreased
lung function, aggravated asthma, development of chronic bronchitis,
irregular heartbeat, nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death in
people with heart or lung disease. 

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 our forecast list at
www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.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.

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