[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Extends Ozone High Pollution Advisory For Friday, June 13

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Extends Ozone High Pollution Advisory For Friday, June 13

PHOENIX  (June 12, 2008) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has extended a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for the Phoenix
metropolitan area for Friday, June 13. 

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

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

"Higher 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 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 can also sign up for HPA text-message alerts: www.azdeq.gov/sms.html

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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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