September 22, 2008
As temperatures start to break from the triple digits, the Valley’s summertime pollutant, ozone, will begin to take a break as well. Ground-level ozone is formed when there is a chemical reaction between nitrogen oxide gases (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of intense sunlight. The warmer months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal “ozone season.” Now, as September comes to a close, so does the potential of seeing more ozone pollution days.
Though temperatures are starting to cool off, the region of Maricopa County experienced its fair share of ozone exceedances this year. The Air Quality Department recorded 18 days so far in 2008 where at least one of its monitors exceeded the federal health standard for ozone pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] lowered the federal health standard for ozone pollution in March 2008. The new eight-hour ozone standard is 0.075 parts per million (ppm) while the previous standard was set at 0.08 ppm.
Under the old standard, this region had not exceeded the federal health standard for ozone pollution in years. However, with the new standard set in place, the Valley experienced 42 Ozone Health Watches and 11 Ozone High Pollution Advisories so far in 2008.
Everyone plays a part in pollution prevention. Visit www.RunningOutofAir.com, Make the Clean Air Commitment to clean the air we all breathe and follow these easy steps to reduce ground-level ozone:
- Drive less. Carpool, vanpool or use public transportation. To find a carpool or vanpool, visit: www.SharetheRide.com or call 602-262-RIDE (7433).
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go inside.
- Refuel your vehicle after dark during cooler, evening hours.
- Use electrically charged lawn and garden equipment.
- Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
- Log on to www.RunningOutofAir.com for more information.
WHO’S WHO:
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department issues No Burn Day restrictions based on a high pollution advisory. To find out if any burn restrictions are in place, call 602-506-6400. Information is given in both English and Spanish. Click here for more information on these new standards.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality [ADEQ] provides a daily forecast for air quality. When conditions exist, ADEQ will issue high pollution advisories or health watches. To listen to the daily air quality forecast, call 602-771-2367. View the three day forecast on-line: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf.
Valley Metro/Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) is an organization of 14 local governments that provides or funds transit services to citizens in the greater Phoenix metropolitan and surrounding areas. These services include the promotion of ridesharing and use of alternative modes to help improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. Valley Metro encourages commuters to find a carpool partner, join an existing vanpool or find out about bus schedules, biking, walking to work, telecommuting or compressed work weeks by logging on to www.ValleyMetro.org or call (602) 262-7433 (RIDE).
Media contacts:
Maricopa County Air Quality Department
Holly Ward - 602-506-6713 desk / 602-201-6092 pager
Erin Dunsey – 602-506-6751 desk/ 602-201-6092 pager
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality [ADEQ]
Mark Shaffer - 602-771-2215 desk / 602-478-2095 cell
Valley Metro
Susan Tierney - 602-262-4668 desk / 602-292-4093 mobile
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