16 June 2017

Dangerous Zone-Out: High Ozone Air Pollution Exceeding Federal Standards

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is extending the ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Maricopa County, effective through Monday, June 19, 2017. This HPA is due to ozone levels expected to accumulate enough to exceed the federal health standard for ozone.
People most affected by ozone include children, senior citizens, people who work or exercise outdoors and people with pre-existing respiratory disease. Ozone can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate asthma and reduce the immune system’s ability to fight off respiratory infections. Ozone-related health problems include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and throat and lung irritation.
BACKGROUND
  • High Pollution Advisory (HPA): Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is expected to exceed the federal health standard
  • Health Watch: Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is expected to approach the federal health standard
  • Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction among sunlight, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and VOCs
CONTACTS
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) provides a daily forecast for air quality and issues HPAs or Health Watches when these conditions exist. Please visit azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf for tomorrow’s forecast or SUBSCRIBE to receive air quality forecasts via email and/or text message.
CONTACT: Caroline Oppleman – (602) 771-2215 desk/(602) 540-8072 cell 
CONTACT: Bob Huhn – (602) 506-6713 desk/(602) 526-7307 cell
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is a regulatory agency whose goal ?????? is to ensure federal clean air standards are achieved and maintained ????????  for the residents and visitors of Maricopa County. The department is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and follows air quality standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act.
 

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