[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Same-Day High Pollution Advisory for Ozone for Phoenix Metropolitan Area for Friday, May 1

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Same-Day High Pollution Advisory for Ozone for Phoenix
Metropolitan Area for Friday, May 1

PHOENIX (May 1, 2009) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
has issued a same-day High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Friday, May 1
for the Phoenix metropolitan area because weather conditions are
expected to cause unhealthy levels of ozone. 

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

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.

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 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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