[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues PM 10 High Pollution Advisory for the Phoenix Metro Area for Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tue Sep 29 15:12:14 MST 2009

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is issuing a High
Pollution Advisory (HPA) on Wednesday, Sept. 30 for Particulate Matter
10 (PM10) microns and smaller. This HPA is being issued due to gusty
winds expected in the metro Phoenix area.  

"Dirty air and high winds are a dangerous combination," said ADEQ
Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "It's important for citizens to take
caution, especially if they have respiratory problems."

As a result, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department is enforcing the
mandatory "No Burn Day" restriction for Maricopa County from midnight to
midnight on Wednesday.  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
which have burn permits for open burning.

This HPA also includes the following restrictions:

*        Contractors cannot use leaf blowers on governmental properties
on HPA days.

*        Hotels, restaurants and residents must refrain from burning
wood in their indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits during a HPA.
Open burning is also restricted. 

*        Off-highway vehicles are prohibited from being used during a
PM-10 HPA. 

ADEQ recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid
outdoor activities on Wednesday and suggests the general public limit
outdoor activity throughout the day. 

Valley Metro requests employers activate their HPA Plan. Residents and
employers are asked to use these tips to help make the air healthier to
breathe: 

*	Use public transit, carpool or telecommute if possible
*	Eliminate all unnecessary driving and/or combine trips
*	Re-fuel after dark
*	Don't use gas powered lawn or garden equipment
*	Visit ValleyMetro.org to map a commute on bus or light rail,
find a carpool/vanpool partner, or bike route.
*	To learn more about the air you're breathing, visit:
www.CleanAirMakeMore.com <http://www.cleanairmakemore.com/> 

PARTICULATE MATTER BACKGROUND:  State and county agencies measure PM-10
and PM-2.5 which are extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets
found circulating in the air.  PM, or particulate matter, comes from
either combustion (cars, industry, woodburning) or dust stirred up into
the air. High levels of PM are typically created when the air is
especially stagnant or especially windy.

PM-10 stands for particulate matter measuring 10 microns or less.
PM-2.5 stands for particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less.  To
put this in perspective, one strand of human hair is 70-100 microns in
size.  

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.  To listen to the daily
air quality forecast, call 602-771-2367.

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.  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 telework 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 / 602-526-7307 cell

Valley Metro

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

-30- 

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