[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Saturday, June 21

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Saturday, June 21

PHOENIX (June 20, 2008) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for the Phoenix
metropolitan area for Saturday, June 21.

Forecast weather conditions are expected to generate levels of ozone
that may exceed the federal health standard. This will be the tenth HPA
issued for ozone this year and the third weekend in which ADEQ has
issued an HPA this season. 

ADEQ recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid
outdoor activities Saturday 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 HPA follows four ozone Health Watches," said ADEQ Director Steve
Owens, "Before this season, we had never issued an ozone HPA for weekend
days but this is the third weekend so far this season that we have
issued HPAs because of the new federal ozone standard and the weather
conditions we have been experiencing. We urge Valley residents to take
steps to help reduce emissions that lead to the formation of ozone."  A
Health Watch also has been issued for Sunday.

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.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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