01 January 2020

MARICOPA COUNTY: Starting-Off The New Year with A High Pollution Advisory

Growing fast at any cost - public health and   the environment. Federal Clean Air Violations 

Forecast Discussion: 
[View the ADEQ Hourly Forecast for Phoenix]
Our primary focus today is on the PM2.5 (smoke) concentrations across the Valley as we ring in 2020.
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Last week it was a different story from Mike Pace - the happy-talker spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Maricopa County and the Phoenix Metro Area have consistently violated federal Clean Air Standards for decades. . . It's only getting worse as the ADEQ continues to do practically nothing to reduce the toxic effects of contaminated air that is dangerous to health.
In one word: NONATTAINMENT.

The last annual report from Arizona Memory Project Digital Collection is 2009.   __________________________________________________________________________
"The rain that fell on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day has helped the Phoenix area's air quality, with both days staying well below the federal health standard. That’s according to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

“We’ve seen periods of rain, periods of breezes and that really helps to flush out the atmosphere so even where we’re looking at Christmas Day itself, yesterday, here in Phoenix we actually came in with a PM2.5 value at 59AQI which is the lowest value that we’ve seen since records go back to 2010," said meteorologist Matt Pace.
Although the air quality is better than what Arizona typically sees this time of year, Pace says residents are still encouraged to make efforts to limit pollution."
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"The clouds yesterday and this morning are from a low-pressure system currently located just off the spur of Baja. As this system continues moving toward the east-southeast, clouds will clear out of the region later this afternoon. It will be replaced with a weak and short-lived area of high-pressure tonight into tomorrow morning. 
This set-up will mean calm winds across the Valley later today through the morning hours tomorrow. Combine this with the increase in fireplace/fire pit use along with fireworks, and PM2.5 concentrations are forecast to increase tonight into tomorrow morning. The highest concentrations are forecast to be between midnight and 1 am tonight as this is when the bulk of the PM2.5 will be generated. Values will remain elevated through the morning hours New Year's Day, with air quality likely ending the day in the Unhealthy AQI category.
A PM2.5 High Pollution Advisory is in effect today and New Year's Day. Due to the high levels of smoke forecast, PM10 concentrations will also likely exceed the federal health standard, so a PM-10 High Pollution Advisory is also in place on New Year's Day. 
A weak weather disturbance is forecast to drop south-southeast into the state late New Year's Day, which should help to disperse some of the left-over PM2.5 from New Year's celebrations. Due to this, the High Pollution Advisory will not be extended into Thursday. 
High pressure will build into the region Friday through the weekend, which will result in a warming trend and more calm winds. In fact, high temperatures Friday into the weekend are forecast to be in the upper 60s. 
Happy New Year, and see you in the next decade! 

M. Pace Image result for ADEQ high pollution advisory

PRESS RELEASE | Air Quality Alerts for PM-2.5 in the Phoenix area | December 2019 & January 2020

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) effective December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2020, in the Phoenix area. ADEQ is also issuing an HPA for PM-10 (course particulate matter) effective January 1, 2020.
PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. On January 1, 2020, levels of PM-2.5 may be so high that an exceedance of PM-10, of which PM-2.5 is a subset, is possible. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.
Check the Hourly Air Quality Forecast on the Air Arizona Mobile App
Apple iTunes > | Google Play >

Health Impacts

People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors and people with heart or lung disease and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues. Long-term exposure is linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat and decreased lung function.
During an HPA, Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) declares a “No Burn Day”. Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires is not permitted.
MCAQD No Burn Day Information | View >
Burn cleaner, burn better with gas or electric instead of wood. Get help switching over with:
MCAQD Fireplace Retrofit Program | View >
MCAQD Propane Fire Pit Program | View >

Please help reduce PM-2.5 by doing one or more of the following:

  • Use gas or electric instead of burning wood
  • Limit the lighting of fireworks
  • Ride transit, carpool or telework
  • Eliminate all unnecessary driving and/or combine trips
  • If burning wood for heat or food preparation, use dry wood (burning wet wood releases more particulate matter)

Find the Forecast

ADEQ Air Quality Hourly Forecast | View >
Text or Email Alerts | Subscribe >
Air Arizona Mobile App | Learn More >

Background

High Pollution Advisory (HPA) | Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to exceed the federal health standard.
Health Watch (HW) | Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to approach the federal health standard.
Particulate Matter Fact Sheet| View >
Ozone Fact Sheet | View >

Contact

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) | Provides hourly forecasts for air quality in certain areas of the state and issues HPAs or Health Watches when the appropriate conditions exist.
Public Information Officer | 602-771-2215 (office) | 602-540-8072 (cell) | Email >
Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) | Regulatory agency for air quality in Maricopa County.
Bob Huhn, Public Information Officer | 602-506-6713 (office) | 602-526-7307 (cell) | Email >

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