[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues High Pollution Advisory for Particulate Matter for Friday, April 3

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues High Pollution Advisory for Particulate Matter for Friday,
April 3

PHOENIX (April 2, 2009) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Friday, April 3
for the Phoenix metropolitan area because weather conditions are
expected to cause unhealthy levels of fine Particulate Matter 10  (PM10)
microns and smaller. 

The HPA is being issued because of anticipated high winds on Friday
evening. The combination of winds and loose, dry soil due to the recent
lack of rainfall means a high chance of blowing dust across the Valley
for several hours on Friday. 

ADEQ recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid
outdoor activities after 1 p.m. Friday afternoon and suggests that the
general public limit outdoor activity throughout the day. Due to the
possibility of reduced visibility because of dust, motorists should
exercise caution.  

Also, under state law, recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
in Area A of the greater Phoenix area is prohibited. Local ordinances in
the Valley also prohibit or limit the use of leaf blowers.

In addition, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department has designated
Friday to be a No-Burn Day for residential fireplaces, woodstoves and
outdoor burning devices. 

PM10 refers to particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller.
Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause
health effects, including irritation
of the airways, coughing, difficulty breathing, decreased lung function,
asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, 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
.

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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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