Maricopa County is under an ozone high pollution advisory through Sunday.
The advisory, issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, means our highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard.
Extreme heat affects air quality because ground level ozone forms when two pollutants react in sunlight. Vehicles are the primary source, but pollutants also come from power plants, leaf blowers and paints.
Exposure can cause itchy eyes, nose and throat, increase asthma attacks and aggravate bronchitis. Active adults, children and those with lung issues are advised to limit their time outdoors and people are asked to drive less and gas up after dark.
The following information is provided by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
Take action
- Drive less, carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit ShareTheRide.com.
- Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
- Reduce wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up and banks.
- Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
- Delay large painting projects until HPAs have passed.
- Properly seal containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air. Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
- Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
- Conserve electricity.
HPA restrictions
- Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
- Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
- Off-highway vehicles are prohibited from being used.
