[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Second 2008 High Pollution Advisory of Year for Ozone for Tuesday, May 20

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Second 2008 High Pollution Advisory of Year for Ozone for
Tuesday, May 20 

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PHOENIX (May 19, 2008) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for the Phoenix
metropolitan area because of  forecast weather conditions on Tuesday,
May 20 expected to generate levels of ozone that may exceed the federal
health standard. 

 

ADEQ recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid
outdoor activities on Tuesday 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 on Thursday, and all
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. 

 

"This is the second High Pollution Advisory for ozone we have issued
this year," ADEQ Director Steve Owens said. "Increasing temperatures and
other conditions are contributing to higher ozone levels. 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 located on ADEQ's Web site or by
telephone at (602) 771-2367. Those interested in receiving the air
quality forecast via email can subscribe to our daily forecast list:
www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html 

 

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

 

For more information on HPAs:
www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/monitoring/hpa.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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