[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Third 2008 High Pollution Advisory for Ozone for Friday, May 30

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Third 2008 High Pollution Advisory for Ozone for Friday, May
30

PHOENIX (May 29, 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 Friday, May
30 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 Friday 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 Friday, 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 third High Pollution Advisory for ozone we have issued this
year, and the fourth HPA for 2008," 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 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.

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