Hey Arizona, it’s time to pay attention to the air we’re breathing. The Arizona Department of Environment Quality (ADEQ) has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Maricopa County today and tomorrow, with a High Pollution Watch for Wednesday. With two low-pressure systems, including Hurricane Beryl hitting southeastern Texas, moving across the central U.S., and high pressure advancing from the Pacific Coast, our weather is going through some changes.
What’s Happening with the Weather?
Right now, we’ve got some breezes blowing at 5-15 mph this afternoon, which will calm down a bit tomorrow and Thursday. These winds might feel good in the sweltering Phoenix heat, but they also help spread pollutants, especially ozone, all over the place. Speaking of heat, Phoenix is baking with high temperatures that make stepping outside feel like walking into an oven.
What is Ozone and Why Should We Care?
Ozone near the ground is bad news. It’s not the good kind of ozone that protects us from the sun’s harmful rays. This ground-level ozone forms when pollutants from cars, power plants, and other sources mix and react in the sunlight.
Who needs to worry the most? Kids, older adults, people exercising outside, and anyone with heart or lung issues, like asthma or bronchitis. Breathing in ozone can worsen asthma attacks, cause or worsen bronchitis or other lung diseases, and even weaken your immune system. You might notice symptoms like itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and upper respiratory issues.
How Can We Help Reduce Ozone Levels?
Here are some simple things we can all do to help cut down on ozone pollution:
- Drive Less: Carpool, use public transit, or work from home if you can. Fewer cars on the road mean less pollution.
- Refuel in the Evening: Pumping gas in the cooler evening hours helps reduce the vapors that contribute to ozone formation.
- Skip the Drive-Thru: Avoid long lines at drive-thrus. Park and go inside instead.
- Choose Low-VOC Products: Use water-based paints, stains, and finishes. Hold off on big painting projects if you can.
- Seal Containers Properly: Make sure household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents are tightly sealed to keep vapors from escaping.
Let’s stay cool, stay informed, and do what we can to help. Together, we can all breathe a little easier.
