[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory for the Phoenix Metro Area for Friday, July 17, 2009

Thu Jul 16 14:08:26 MST 2009

EFFECTIVE: Friday July 17

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is issuing a High
Pollution Advisory (HPA) Friday, July 17 for ozone. 

The HPA is being issued because of a continued, strong high pressure
zone over the Valley and rapid increases in the levels of ozone early
Thursday at East Valley sites. The conditions are expected to cause
unhealthy levels of ozone and the HPA could be extended into Saturday
and Sunday. 

As a result, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department is enforcing the
mandatory "No Burn Day" restriction for Maricopa County from midnight to
midnight Friday.  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.

"When pollution is at unhealthy levels, it is important for each of us
to consider immediate actions to help keep the air cleaner," said David
A. Boggs, Valley Metro RPTA executive director. "Try to find a carpool
match or work from home to avoid a trip. Every action we take to reduce
miles driven benefits our communities."

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

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/>  .
*	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.

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.  These
No Burn Day restrictions typically occur during the winter months.  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.

To learn more about the Maricopa County residential woodburning
restriction ordinance, view a copy on our website www.maricopa.gov/aq.
Click on the direct link to the residential woodburning restriction
ordinance:
http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/divisions/planning_analysis/rules/docs/rwro99
11.pdf 

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 / 602-201-6092 pager

Erin Dunsey - 602-506-6751 desk/602-201-6092 pager

Valley Metro

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

-30- 

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