[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Wednesday, July 9

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Wednesday, July 9

PHOENIX (July 8, 2008) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for the Phoenix
metropolitan area for Wednesday, July 9. 

Forecast weather conditions are expected to generate levels of ozone
that may exceed the federal health standard. This is the eleventh HPA
issued for ozone this year, which ties the record in 2005 for most ozone
HPAs issued in one calendar year.

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

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. 

"We have had so many of the ozone HPAs this year because of the new
federal ozone standard plus the weather conditions we have been
experiencing," ADEQ Director Steve Owens said. "We urge Valley residents
to take steps to help reduce emissions that lead to the formation of
ozone."  

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 available on ADEQ's Web site at
http://azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf or by telephone at (602)
771-2367. 
To get the air quality forecast via email, subscribe to our daily
forecast list: www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html. You also can sign up for
HPA text-message alerts: www.azdeq.gov/sms.htm

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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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