[ADEQ Media] Valley Experiences Fewer Ozone Health Warnings in 2009

Wed Sep 30 12:54:31 MST 2009

PHOENIX (Sept. 30, 2009) -- Valley residents breathed a little easier
this summer as ozone pollution caused fewer public health warnings than
during the same period in 2008. Lower temperatures in June, introduction
of the light rail, and increased use of other public transportation are
believed to have helped generate the good result.

"The year 2009 was better for clean air and public health than last year
but it was still unacceptable.  The good news is we can accelerate the
pace of environmental progress if we continue to increase opportunities
for smart transportation and pollution reduction," said ADEQ Director
Benjamin H. Grumbles.

Ozone pollution - which pervades the air each April through September -
caused 31 health watches and six High Pollution Advisories (HPAs) this
year.  That's better than in 2008, when the Valley experienced 44 ozone
health watches and 11 ozone HPAs. 

"The numbers show improvement but we need to continue efforts to reduce
pollution," said Maricopa County Air Quality Department Director
Lawrence Odle.  "It's important to practice clean air behavior
throughout our daily routines." 

Ground level ozone pollution can irritate lungs and airways, damage
plants and crops, and tarnish paint and other items outdoors. Valley air
is monitored daily by the Air Quality Division of the Arizona Department
of Environmental Quality.

 "Our studies show that residents are choosing to carpool or vanpool
more often each week," said David A. Boggs, executive director of Valley
Metro. "When you drive 45 miles you create about one pound of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs). That's why it's important to consider
alternatives to the single occupant trip."

To track how much pollution your commute generates, visit
www.ValleyMetro.org and select ShareTheRide. To receive air quality
updates during the winter months, visit www.CleanAirMakeMore.com.

2009 Ozone Health Watches:

April 20, 23, 30
July 1, 3-4, 10, 18, 21, 23-24

May 4-5, 8, 13, 15-18, 27-28                 August 1-3, 5, 28

June 23, 29-30
September 1-2

2009 Ozone High Pollution Advisories:

April 21
June 24

May 1, 6-7
July 17

8-Hour Exceedance Days:

April 30
June 22

May 17
July 2

OZONE BACKGROUND:  Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction
that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic
compounds [VOCs] to form. The months of April through September make up
our Valley's longer-than-normal "ozone season."  

-MORE-

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.  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 mobile

Maricopa County Air Quality Department

Holly Ward - 602-506-6713 desk / 602-526-7307 mobile

Valley Metro

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

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