The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has again extended its High Pollution Advisory for ozone for the Greater Phoenix Area through Thursday, May 13. It also has issued an ozone pollution âwatchâ for Friday, May 14.Â
This means that forecast weather conditions combined with existing ozone levels are expected to result in local maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations that pose a health risk. Adverse health effects increase as air quality deteriorates.
Ozone is an air contaminant which can cause breathing difficulties for children as well as persons with respiratory problems. A decrease in physical activity is recommended.
If it is a regularly scheduled workday, you are urged to carpool, telecommute or use mass transit.
Valley experiencing poor air quality due to fireworks and weather issues
Published
High Pollution Advisory issued for Maricopa County
Weather conditions, in addition to fireworks and fireplace use, contributed to high levels of particulate matter in the air.
PHOENIX - Officials with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality say High Pollution Advisories are in effect for Phoenix on Jan. 1.
On their website, officials say an inversion layer, or a layer of warm air just above the ground, is trapping smoke from holiday-related fireworks and fireplace usage near the ground. You may notice a haze, and may even be able to smell smoke in the air, officials wrote.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality s High Pollution Advisory for New Years Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31 and New Years Day, Friday, Jan. 1. The advisory is due to expected high concentration of particulate materials.
The holiday is a time when many people are home and wanting to enjoy a fire in the fire place and fireworks to celebrate the New Year, however, this advisory also initiates the Maricopa County air quality restrictions on the burning of wood, as well as commercial use of leaf blowers and off highway vehicle travel.
Particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less is the source of this advisory. 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.