[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues High Pollution Advisory for Particulate Matter for Thursday, March 26

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues High Pollution Advisory for Particulate Matter for Thursday,
March 26

PHOENIX (March 25, 2009) - The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Thursday, March
26 for the Phoenix metropolitan area because of forecast weather
conditions that are expected to be conducive to unhealthy levels of fine
Particulate Matter 10  (PM10) microns and smaller. 

The HPA is being issued because of anticipated winds with gusts of up to
35-40 miles per hour Thursday afternoon. 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 Thursday through
early Friday. 

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

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

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 limit the use of leaf blowers.

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

-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.

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you.