What Is an Inversion and How Does It Affect Air Quality?
Revised on: August 14, 2018 - 2:21pm
An inversion represents a layer of the atmosphere in which the temperature gets warmer the higher you go. A variety of conditions can cause inversions, but most common in Arizona is the nighttime inversion. This is when a layer of cooler air is trapped near the ground by a layer of warm air above the surface. When the air cannot rise, pollution accumulates near the ground, leading to higher pollutant concentrations | See Info Graphic (Coming Soon) >
To avoid health risks associated with poor air quality related to Particle Pollution:
- Choose areas away from busy streets for children and the elderly to walk, exercise or play.
- Subscribe to ADEQ Daily Air Quality Forecasts and follow the recommended health statement
- Limit outdoor activity when there is smoke and dust in the air
- Implement policies and education programs to limit vehicle idling when possible
- Do not burn wood on No Burn days.
- Eliminate the use of leaf blowers and gasoline-powered equipment during health alerts and high pollution advisory (HPA) days | Learn More about HPAs >
- Stabilize loose soils
- Slow down on dirt roads, carpool and use public transit
Learn more about Particle Pollution | View Fact Sheet >