PRESS RELEASE | High Pollution Advisory issued for ozone effective May 26, 2020 in the Phoenix area

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for ozone effective May 26, 2020, in the Phoenix area. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems. Ground level ozone forms when two types of pollutants—volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—react in sunlight. These pollutants come primarily from automobiles, but also from other sources including industries, power plants, and products, such as solvents and paints. Generally, the highest levels of ozone occur in the afternoon. 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, 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.

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 >   FIND THE FORECAST ADEQ Hourly Air Quality Forecast |View > Text or Email Alerts | Subscribe >  Air Arizona Mobile App | Learn More > Apple iTunes > Google Play >

CONTACTS Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) | Provides hourly forecasts for air quality in certain areas of the state and issues HPAs or HWs when the appropriate conditions exist. View Website > 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. View Website > Bob Huhn, Public Information Officer | 602-506-6713 (office) | 602-526-7307 (cell) | Email > Valley Metro | Eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County. View Website > Susan Tierney, Communications Manager | 602-523-6004 (office) | Email >

About ADEQ Under the Environmental Quality Act of 1986, the Arizona State Legislature established the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in 1987 as the state agency for protecting and enhancing public health and the environment of Arizona. For more information, visit azdeq.gov. ADEQ will take reasonable measures to provide access to department services to individuals with limited ability to speak, write or understand English and/or to those with disabilities. Requests for language interpretation, ASL interpretation, CART captioning services or disability accommodations must be made at least 48 hours in advance by contacting Ian Bingham, Title VI Nondiscrimination Coordinator at 602-771-4322 or Bingham.Ian@azdeq.gov. Teleprinter services are available by calling 7-1-1 at least 48 hours in advance to make necessary arrangements. ADEQ tomará las medidas razonables para proveer acceso a los servicios del departamento a personas con capacidad limitada para hablar, escribir o entender inglés y / o para personas con discapacidades. Las solicitudes de servicios de interpretación de idiomas, interpretación ASL, subtitulados de CART, o adaptaciones por discapacidad deben realizarse con al menos 48 horas de anticipación contactando a Ian Bingham, Coordinador de Anti-Discriminación del Título VI al 602-771-4322 o Bingham.Ian@azdeq.gov. Los servicios de teleimpresores están disponibles llamando al 7-1-1 con al menos 48 horas de anticipación para hacer los arreglos necesarios.