A new month and a break in triple digits aren’t the only fresh starts this month.  October 1^st marks the beginning of our winter pollution season.  This is the time we tend to see a rise in high pollution advisories for particulate matter.

During the months of October through March, dust pollution lingers in the Valley due to an inversion layer. This happens when a layer of cold air is trapped inside a valley by a pocket of warmer air above it. With no rain to wash away the dust particles and little wind to carry them out, particulate levels start to increase and are unhealthy to breathe.

The Environmental Protection Agency sets air quality standards based on public health and Maricopa County currently faces a federal mandate to clean up its particulate matter pollution by five percent each year until it reaches attainment.  As a result, Maricopa County recently tightened its air quality rules and regulations in an effort to reduce dust pollution.

Some of these tighter regulations include:

·        Prohibiting the blowing of landscape debris into public roadways

·        Prohibiting the operation of leaf blowers on any surface that is not stabilized

·               Prohibiting the use of woodburning fireplaces, woodstoves and outdoor fire pits on High Pollution Advisory days

·               Restricting all vehicle parking and use on unstabilized vacant lots

·        Restricting the operation of any vehicle on unpaved public property without lawful authority (i.e., rules, regulations, orders, a sign posting the property “open”, maps issued by the government or government agency, virtual posting)

·        Restricts the operation of any vehicle on unpaved private property without the consent of the land owner (i.e., a sign posting the property “open”, an easement, or written permission from a private land owner)

Additional information on Maricopa County Air Quality Department’s rules and regulations can be found on the department’s website at: http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/divisions/planning_analysis/AdoptedRules.aspx.

In order to keep improve the air we breathe, Valley residents can reduce dust pollution by doing the following:

• Don’t use a leaf blower. Use a rake or a broom instead
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
• Avoid using woodburning fireplaces or stoves on No Burn days
• Drive slowly or avoid driving on unpaved roads and vacant lots
• Avoid driving off-road vehicles in the dirt or on unpaved roads
• Consolidate errands into one trip
• Conserve electricity
• Log on to www.RunningOutofAir.com for more information

Everyone plays a part in pollution prevention.  Visit www.RunningOutofAir.com and Make the Clean Air Commitment to clean the air we all breathe. 

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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