[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory For Thursday, June 12

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory For Thursday, June 12

PHOENIX  (June 11, 2008) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for the Phoenix
metropolitan area for Thursday, June 12. 

Forecast weather conditions are expected to generate levels of ozone
that may exceed the federal health standard. This will be the sixth HPA
issued for ozone this year. 

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

"This is a further indicator that we may have a tough ozone season this
summer. Increasing temperatures and other conditions are contributing to
higher ozone levels," said ADEQ Director Steve Owens. "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 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 can also sign up for HPA text-message alerts: www.azdeq.gov/sms.html


-30-

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.

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR 
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific 
individual(s) to whom it is addressed.  It may contain information that is 
privileged and confidential under state and federal law.  This information 
may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be 
subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the 
information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-
mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-
mail, and then delete the original e-mail.  Thank you.