The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is issuing a health watch for Wednesday, November 25 for fine particulate matter pollution (PM-2.5).
Fine particulate pollution is most commonly attributed to combustion activity in the form of woodburning fires. As a result of Wednesday’s health watch, Maricopa County will enforce a No Burn Day throughout the county.
Forecasters expect to see winds on the increase as we get closer to the Thanksgiving holiday. “Winds will help disperse the fine particulates in the air but until we see an improvement in our air quality levels, we must take this proactive step to keep this pollution threat from reaching unhealthy levels,” states Maricopa County Air Quality Department Director Lawrence Odle.
A woodburning ban will go into effect and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department will enforce the mandatory “No Burn Day” restriction within the county from midnight to midnight during the health watch. Residents and businesses must refrain from burning activity during this 24-hour period. This restriction includes individuals and businesses that have burn permits for open burning.
Everyone plays a part in pollution prevention. Follow these tips to help make the air healthier to breathe:
- Reduce the use of leaf blowers. Use a rake or a broom instead.
- Avoid driving on dirt roads or unpaved surfaces. If there is no alternative route, drive slowly on unpaved surfaces (10 mph or less).
- Don’t burn leaves, trash or other material.
- Do not light a woodburning fire on a designated No Burn Day.
- Visit www.ValleyMetro.org to map a commute on bus or light rail, find a carpool/vanpool partner, or bike route.
- Visit www.CleanAirMakeMore.com and Make the Clean Air Commitment to help us reduce air pollution.
The department recommends that children and adults with respiratory problems avoid outdoor activities on Wednesday. People exposed to particles may experience a number of respiratory symptoms including coughing and phlegm, decreased lung function, airway inflammation, asthma attacks, and chronic bronchitis. Older adults and people with heart or lung diseases are more vulnerable to particle pollution. Children are at risk because they are more likely to be active, they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, and their bodies are still developing.
PARTICULATE MATTER BACKGROUND: State and county agencies measure PM-10 and PM-2.5 which are extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets found circulating in the air. PM, or particulate matter, comes from either combustion (cars, industry, woodburning) or dust stirred up into the air. High levels of PM are typically created when the air is especially stagnant or especially windy.
PM-10 stands for particulate matter measuring 10 microns or less. PM-2.5 stands for particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less. To put this in perspective, one strand of human hair is 70-100 microns in size.
WHO’S WHO?
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality [ADEQ] provides a daily forecast for air quality. When conditions exist, ADEQ will issue high pollution advisories and health watches. Daily air quality forecasts are on ADEQ’s Web site at www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf or by calling (602)771-2367. Those interested in receiving the air quality forecast via email can subscribe to
ADEQ’s forecast list at www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html and text alerts at www.azdeq.gov/sms.html
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department issues No Burn Day restrictions based on a high pollution advisory or health watch. These No Burn Day restrictions typically occur during the winter months. To find out if any burn restrictions are in place, call 602-506-6400 or visit www.cleanairmakemore.com. Information is given in both English and Spanish.
To learn more about the Maricopa County residential woodburning restriction ordinance, view a copy on our website www.maricopa.gov/aq. Click on the direct link to the residential woodburning restriction ordinance: http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/divisions/planning_analysis/rules/docs/rwro9911.pdf
Valley Metro/RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, and bicycle and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local, state and federal revenues; and administered by a board of 15 governments working to improve and regionalize the public transit system. www.ValleyMetro.org
Media contacts:
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality [ADEQ]
Mark Shaffer - 602-771-2215 desk / 480-433-9551 cell
Maricopa County Air Quality Department
Holly Ward - 602-506-6713 desk / 602-526-7307 cell
Valley Metro
Susan Tierney - 602-262-4668 desk / 602-292-4093 cell
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