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High-pollution

advisory today, tomorrow for Phoenix area

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07:52 AM Mountain

Standard Time on Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Arizona Department of

Environmental Quality

The following is a news release from ADEQ.

PHOENIX --The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a

High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Tuesday, Dec. 30 for the Phoenix

metropolitan area because of forecast weather conditions that are

expected to be conducive for unhealthy levels of fine Particulate

Matter 2.5 microns and smaller (PM2.5), primarily smoke and soot

generated by burning wood in indoor and outdoor fireplaces and

emissions from motor vehicles.

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The HPA is being issued because of anticipated colder weather

conditions that will worsen the temperature inversion and an expected

stagnant air mass, both of which will result in elevated levels of

smoke and soot pollution in the Valley. This is the second HPA for

particulate matter pollution ADEQ has issued this winter season. The

first HPA for this winter was issued for this past Sunday, Dec. 28.

Because the largest sources of the projected pollution are wood burning

and vehicle emissions, Valley residents are used not use their

wood-burning fireplaces or stoves or do any outside burning, as well as

reduce vehicle use to the greatest extent possible. ADEQ also advises

residents to take steps to reduce their exposure to the pollution,

especially children, seniors and people with asthma and other

respiratory problems.

The highest concentrations of PM2.5

recorded during winter months in the past several years have been

dominated by wood smoke, based on measurements made by ADEQ’s air

quality monitoring equipment. If Valley residents refrain from or

reduce wood-burning activities, it can help prevent a violation of the

health standard for PM2.5.

ADEQ recommends that children

and adults with respiratory problems avoid outdoor activities on

Tuesday and suggests that the general public limit outdoor activity

throughout the day. Employers participating in the Valley's Trip

Reduction Program should implement their pollution reduction action

plans and all Valley residents should reduce particulate

matter-producing emissions by taking the following steps:

•Eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.

•Car pool, use mass transit, telecommute and/or reduce driving.

•Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

•Avoid activities that generate dust, such as driving on dirt roads.

•Stabilize loose soils.

PM2.5 refers to particles that are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or

smaller. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs

and cause health effects, including irritation

of the

airways, coughing, difficulty breathing, decreased lung function,

asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, heart

attacks and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

Daily air quality forecasts are on ADEQ’s Web site at www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf

or by calling . Those interested in receiving the air

quality forecast via email can subscribe to our forecast list at

www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html.