[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Thursday, May 26

Wed May 25 13:54:56 MST 2011

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is issuing an ozone High
Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Thursday, May 26.

Ozone concentrations in the Valley reached their highest levels of the
season on Tuesday and elevated levels are expected to remain because of
a continued warming trend under cloudless skies. On Thursday, air
quality forecasters expect several Valley areas to possibly exceed the
federal health standard for ozone. 

As a result, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department is enforcing the
mandatory "No Burn Day" restriction for Maricopa County from midnight to
midnight Thursday. This restriction includes individuals and businesses
that have burn permits for open burning.

"Outdoor activities are expected with the upcoming holiday weekend, so
it's a perfect time to think about air quality," said David Boggs,
Valley Metro executive director. "Reduce trips, ride transit and help
reduce ozone-forming emissions to keep the air healthier for everyone."

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

*	Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimineas and
outdoor fire pits.
*	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 leaf blowers.
*	Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints,
stains, finishes and paint strippers.
*	Delay big painting projects until high-pollution advisories or
health watches have passed.
*	Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard
chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from
evaporating into the air.
*	To learn more about the air you're breathing, visit:
www.cleanairmakemore.com <http://www.cleanairmakemore.com/>  

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."

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 or health watches. Please visit
www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf or call (602) 771-2367. To
receive the air quality forecast via email and/or text message please
visit www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html 

CONTACT: Mark Shaffer - (602) 771-2215 desk / (480) 433-9551 cell

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department is a regulatory agency whose
goal is to ensure federal clean air standards are achieved and
maintained for the residents and visitors of Maricopa County. The
department is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and
follows air quality standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act.
The department offers air quality information and resources on its Clean
Air Make More website. Please visit www.cleanairmakemore.com
<http://www.cleanairmakemore.com/>  to learn more.

CONTACT: Holly Ward - (602) 506-6713 desk / (602) 526-7307 cell

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 16
governments working to improve and regionalize the public transit
system. Please visit www.valleymetro.org <http://www.valleymetro.org/>
to learn more.

CONTACT: Susan Tierney - (602) 523-6004 desk / (602) 292-4093 cell

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