December 23, 2008
During the winter season, the air monitoring sites frequently pick up unhealthy levels of PM-2.5 (or particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less). These fine dust particles are a result of smoke from woodburning fires and they are so small that they can get trapped in our lungs and we cannot cough them out.
In addition to the hazards of breathing in smoke from woodburning fires, other items that are frequently burned during the holidays are gift wrapping paper and other trash materials. According to the Clean Air Council, the United States produces four million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bags during the holiday season. However, most people do not realize the inks and foils used in wrapping paper often contain hazardous chemicals that can be toxic when burned. In addition, burning wrapping paper can release toxic carcinogens into our air. It is best to recycle non-foil wrapping paper and dispose of foil paper in the trash. Burning these materials can release toxic chemicals into the air and into your lungs.
Follow these easy steps to help reduce air pollution, especially during the holidays:
ü Drive less, particularly on pollution advisory days. Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.
ü Drive slowly on unpaved roads (best under 15 miles-per-hour).
ü Don’t use leaf blowers and other equipment that raise a lot of dust. Use a rake or broom instead.
ü Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
ü Maintain your landscape. Cover loose dirt with vegetation or gravel.
ü Reduce fireplace and woodstove use, and don’t use your woodburning fireplace, wood stove or outdoor fire pits on a No Burn Day.
ü Consider using gas instead of wood. If you use a woodburning stove, or fireplace insert, make sure it meets EPA design specifications and burn only dry, seasoned wood.
ü Don’t burn leaves, trash, wrapping paper or other materials.
ü Report serious offenders to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department at 602-372-2703.
PM-2.5 BACKGROUND: PM-2.5 stands for particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less. 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, wood-burning) or dust stirred up into the air. High levels of PM are typically created when the air is especially stagnant.
WHO’S WHO:
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department issues No Burn Day restrictions based on current weather conditions or a high pollution advisory or health watch. To find out if any burn restrictions are in place, call 602-506-6400. Information is given in both English and Spanish.
To learn more about the Maricopa County residential wood-burning restriction ordinance, view a copy on our website www.maricopa.gov/aq. Here’s a direct link to the ordinance: http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/divisions/planning_analysis/rules/docs/rwro9911.pdf.
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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