The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has issued an ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Maricopa County, for today Monday, June 20. This HPA is due to levels expected to accumulate enough to exceed the federal health standard.

Employers and Travel Reduction Program Transportation Coordinators are advised to activate their HPA Plans immediately. ADEQ further recommends that the general public limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.  

ADEQ, MCAQD and Valley Metro recommend residents and businesses use the following tips and resources to reduce ozone pollution and make the air healthier to breathe:

• Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit, or telecommute.
• Re-fuel your vehicle after dark.
• Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks – park your car and go inside.
• Plan a transit trip or seek a carpool or vanpool | valleymetro.org or ShareTheRide.com 
• Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers and delay big painting projects.
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
• Learn how you can help in reducing air pollution | Learn More >

BACKGROUND:

High Pollution Advisory or HPA: The highest level of an air pollutant may exceed the federal health standard.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to form.

Contact  Information: 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) provides a daily forecast for air quality and issues HPAs or health watches when these conditions exist. Please visit azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf  or call (602) 771-2367 for tomorrow’s forecast or https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZDEQ/subscriber/new to receive air quality forecasts via email and/or text message. CONTACT: Caroline Oppleman – (602) 540-8072 cell

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is a regulatory agency whose goal is to ensure federal clean air standards are achieved and maintained for the residents and visitors of Maricopa County. The department is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and follows air quality standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act. The department offers air quality information and resources on its Clean Air Make More website: cleanairmakemore.com. CONTACT: Bob Huhn – (602) 506-6713 desk/ (602) 526-7307 cell

Valley Metro 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 16 governments working to improve and regionalize the public transit system. Please visit valleymetro.org to learn more. CONTACT: Seth Polansky – (602) 322-4492 desk