Flowers in bloom throughout the Valley tell us that springtime is in full swing – and with it comes allergens in the air that make it difficult for those who suffer from seasonal and outdoor allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May to be National Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month, as it is the peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers who struggle with symptoms.

If you suffer from asthma or allergies, you’re among millions of people at higher risk from particulate pollution and ozone. Particulate pollution can travel deep into your lungs and irritate existing lung disease, triggering asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections. Ozone can inflame airways, reduce lung function and cause people to be more sensitive to allergens, which can be very troublesome for those suffering from asthma and allergies.

Fortunately, resources are available through a number of organizations, such as the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the Arizona Asthma Coalition and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All three provide valuable information that enable communities to spread awareness about the diseases, raise funds for research, attend events throughout the month of May, and find news and educational resources to help spread awareness. Below are some resources for more information and ways to get involved:

AAFA

May is National Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
Asthma Facts and Figures
Allergy Facts and Figures

Arizona Asthma Coalition

Identify and avoid triggers
Asthma in Arizona

EPA

Asthma & Outdoor Air Pollution
Triggers of Asthma
AIRNow – Air Quality Awareness Week

The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology provides a nationwide asthma screening program to help people find free asthma and allergy screening locations.

With springtime allergens in the air, it’s important for Valley residents to reduce the air pollution we can control. Learn more about how you can improve air quality in Maricopa County: become part of the solution at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com, and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!

One way to cut down on ozone is by refueling your car after the sun goes down. Kick start the weekend with a clean conscience and commit to ‘Fuel After Dark Friday.’ Maricopa County Air Quality Department is asking all residents to help reduce ground-level ozone by refueling their vehicles once the sun sets, in the cooler evening hours. This one simple act will have a positive impact in improving Phoenix air quality during the summer months.

As part of our ‘Commit to One Day’ program, we’ve provided easy to follow tips for each day of the week so residents can do their part in reducing Phoenix air pollution.

• Cycle Sunday:
  Ride your bicycle to places you would normally drive your car. Get some fresh air and save some gas.
• 
  Alt Mode Monday:
  Utilize alternate modes of transportation. Consider taking the light rail, bus or vanpool.
• 
  Ride Together Tuesday:
  Carpool to as many locations as possible. Riding together decreases the amount of dust and emissions in the air.
• 
  Walk Somewhere Wednesday:
  Walk to nearby locations instead of driving. Increasing the number of steps you take will improve your health.
• 
  No Drive-Thru Thursday:
  Avoid the drive-thru and go inside to order your food, coffee or prescriptions. By doing this you will reduce exhaust emissions.
• 
  Fuel After Dark Friday:
  Hot temperatures and gasoline fumes create ground-level ozone. Reduce the effect and refuel your vehicle at night time.
• 
  Sweep It Up Saturday:
  Sweep your driveway, patio, deck, etc. instead of using a leaf blower. Get some exercise and breathe in fresh air while you burn a few calories.

Earth Day is April 22, and we want to remind you that everyone should have the earth in mind each day. Every valley resident has a role in improving air quality in Phoenix and Maricopa County. With the aforementioned tips, the Clean Air Make More app and information provided on this website, residents have access to a number of valuable tools and resources.

Are you part of the solution? Tell us about your commitment to clean air on Twitter and Facebook.

Winter temperatures in Maricopa County are mild, but the season still causes trees to drop leaves, and winter rains can wash soil and other debris on to driveways and pool decks. When tackling that clean up on Saturdays (or any other day of the week), consider the advantages of using a broom or rake instead of a leaf blower: Using a rake also eliminates the risk to the leaf blower operator and people in the area of being exposed to dangerous particles.

• Get some exercise –
  Sweeping and raking require more energy than holding a leaf blower. So sweep away some of those holiday calories while actively participating in efforts to create more clean air.
• Save some money –
  Leaf blowers are an expensive investment, from the time of purchase and continuing operating costs. Not only are brooms less expensive than leaf blowers, they are also often made of more sustainable materials like wood and straw.
• Clear the area more thoroughly and effectively –
  Don’t risk leaves and sand falling into your pool or kicking up dust that will just end up settling in the same place on your driveway. Use a broom or rake to reach those small nooks and tricky pool corners, and save yourself from sweeping up what the leaf blower leaves behind, or pulling leaves from your pool filter.

Be responsible with how you dispose of your yard waste. Open burning is not allowed without a permit from Maricopa County. For further details on burning activities and possible restrictions in Maricopa County go to: http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/divisions/compliance/dust/burning_activities/Default.aspx.

Sweep It Up Saturday is part of Clean Air Make More’s Commit to One Day initiative, providing residents and visitors with simple ways to improve air quality in Maricopa County. Participate seven days a week with Cycle Sunday, Alt Mode Monday, Ride Together Tuesday, Walk Somewhere Wednesday, No Drive-Thru Thursday, Fire Free Friday and Sweep it up Saturday. Learn more about the Commit to One Day initiative at www.cleanairmakemore.com and download the Clean Air Make More app for air quality forecasts and No Burn Day advisories, as well as other important air quality information. Connect with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department on Facebook and Twitter.

Oct. 1 marked the beginning of winter pollution season in Maricopa County, including Phoenix. Air pollution levels are on the rise and weather conditions create dry, stagnant conditions. To protect residents and visitors, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department issues “No Burn Day” advisories when the air quality forecast suggests air quality will approach or exceed the federal health standard. Making an effort to reduce burning throughout the winter pollution season is an easy, impactful way to actively participate in improving air quality – and can be done anytime, regardless of whether there is a No Burn Day advisory issued.

As part of the new Commit to One Day initiative, Maricopa County residents are encouraged to commit to clean air one day a week through easy lifestyle choices. On Fridays, residents can participate in Fire Free Friday, avoiding woodburning in fireplaces and chimineas. If gathering around a glowing fire is an activity you don’t want to give up, consider some great alternatives that still gather family and friends for quality time together.

• Friday Family Move Night —

Turn the thermostat down, grab some blankets and pop in a DVD for the whole family to watch. With everyone in the household gathered in one place, only one room needs to have lighting, decreasing energy usage throughout the entire home. Staying at home instead of going to the movies saves gas money, too.

• Bike or Hike —

Enjoy the beautiful desert landscape the great state of Arizona has to offer and bike or hike with family or friends. Carpool to a trail, bring plenty of water and protective gear, and get some exercise.

• Stargazing —

Breathe in fresh air that’s not polluted by smoke and brush up on your astronomy with family or friends. Whether in your backyard or at a park, all it takes is a blanket and a fellow stargazer to appreciate the night sky.

Fire Free Friday is just one way to commit to clean air. Participate seven days a week with Cycle Sunday, Alt Mode Monday, Ride Together Tuesday, Walk Somewhere Wednesday, No Drive-Thru Thursday, Fire Free Friday and Sweep it up Saturday. Learn more about the Commit to One Day initiative at www.cleanairmakemore.com and download the Clean Air Make More app to stay up-to-date on No Burn Day advisories and other important air quality information. Connect with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department on Facebook and Twitter.

• Cycle Sunday: Ride your bicycle to places you would normally drive your car. Get some fresh air and save some gas.
• Alt Mode Monday: Utilize alternate modes of transportation. Consider taking the light rail, bus or vanpool.
• Ride Together Tuesday: Carpool to as many locations as possible. Riding together decreases the amount of dust and exhaust in the air.
• Walk Somewhere Wednesday: Walk to nearby locations instead of driving. Increase the number of steps on your pedometer and improve your health. 
• No Drive-Thru Thursday: Avoid the drive-thru and go inside to order your food, coffee or prescriptions. You won’t have to wait in a long drive-thru line and you will reduce exhaust emissions. 
• Fire-Free Friday: Don’t use your fireplace or chiminea on Friday. Burning wood creates air pollution and can cause health hazards for many, in particular those with respiratory issues.
• Sweep It Up Saturday: Sweep your driveway, patio, deck, etc. instead of using a leaf blower. Get some exercise and breathe in fresh air while you burn a few calories.

These tips, along with the Clean Air Make More mobile app and information provided online, means Valley residents now have more resources than ever before to actively understand the quality of our air, and their roles in improving it.

Whether it’s taking the bus to work or walking to lunch, everyone can commit to cleaner air.

Are you interested in learning more about how you can improve air quality in Maricopa County? Become part of the solution at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com. Follow Clean Air Make More on Twitter, and “like” the Clean Air Make More page on Facebook.

Recognizing that many Maricopa County residents typically spend more time on their smartphones and tablets than any other device – a 2012 Google study* found more consumers use a mobile phone than any other device – the Air Quality Department developed the Clean Air Make More app to provide a resource where residents could most readily access real-time information about the air they breathe.

Awareness of air quality restrictions and information is critical to Maricopa County residents, and this mobile app enhances the Air Quality Department’s ability to give residents the information they need to protect their health. Users have instantaneous access to the most up-to-date air quality forecast information, and can rely on the app for the most current air quality restrictions. The Clean Air Make More app is Maricopa County’s first mobile app, and a great way for all county citizens to educate themselves about the air they breathe.

The Clean Air Make More app allows users to have instantaneous access to the most up-to-date forecast information, while serving as a reliable resource on current air quality restrictions with three days of air quality forecasts, from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ); the same service that updates CleanAirMakeMore.com with daily air quality forecasts.

The Clean Air Make More app features:

• Air quality forecast for three days, including ozone, carbon monoxide, PM-10 and PM 2.5 levels
• Air quality index levels (good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous) and definitions
• Air quality restrictions (wood burning, leaf blower use, off-road vehicle use)
• “Report a violation” option, similar to what is found on CleanAirMakeMore.com, where users can report an air quality violation or a smoking vehicle
• Additional ways to stay in touch with the Air Quality Department for news, tips and other ways to improve air quality: www.CleanAirMakeMore.com, Facebook and Twitter

The Clean Air Make More app is free to download and use and is available for from iTunes for iPhone and iPad and from Google Play for Android. To learn more about the Maricopa County Air Quality Department and the Clean Air Make More initiative, visit www.CleanAirMakeMore.com

*2012 Google study data available at: http://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/insights/library/studies/trends-in-digital-device-and-internet-usage-2012/

All you have to do is pledge to Dump the Pump and visit the Valley Metro website to plan your route, today: http://www.valleymetro.org.

Want to know more about the impact you can make by participating in Dump the Pump Day on June 21? Click here for more Dump the Pump Facts!

Follow Clean Air Make More on Twitter and Facebook to see what we’re doing to celebrate Dump the Pump Day – and what we’re doing every day to make more clean air.

• Install only CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs in your home—Did you know that CFL bulbs have an extremely long life? Some users report CFL bulbs lasting for as long as five years! Take the time to install CFL bulbs in your home now, and say goodbye to dragging out the ladder every month to change that ceiling fixture bulb. Plus, CFL bulbs use less electricity and are often brighter than incandescent bulbs, resulting in lower bills and brighter lights. Some electric/energy companies even offer rebates for free CFL bulbs.

• Install timers on outdoor lights and thermostats—Home is where the heart is, but for many hours throughout the work day and at night, home doesn’t need to be where the heat (or cool) is. By installing timers on lights and thermostats that turn off those features when they’re not needed, you can cut down on your electricity bill and minimize your energy output foot print.

• Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers—Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOC, contribute to ground-level ozone and are present in the vapors from many household chemicals/solutions, including paint, stains and strippers. Do your part to decrease air pollution by purchasing low-VOC or non-VOC paints, stains, finishes and strippers when taking on your next painting project. Many home improvement stores display environmentally friendly products together or with special signage, so they are quickly and easily located.

• Purchase ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances—Products featuring the ENERGY STAR label have met the energy efficiency requirements set forth in ENERGY STAR product specifications, established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since these products use less energy, they save you money, and help protect the environment. Additionally, some ENERGY STAR products qualify for federal tax credits. For complete information, visit http://www.energystar.gov.

• Swap wood-burning chimineas and fire pits for gas or electric ones—Nothing is more comforting than the glow of a warm fire on the cool nights we are occasionally treated to in the desert. Unfortunately, the smoke resulting from those wood burning fires contribute significantly to particulate matter, which are tiny particles that can get stuck deep in the lungs and cause a number of health complications. Opt for a gas or electric powered fire pit that offers the same warmth and ambiance without the air pollution.

Home improvement projects are fun to undertake and even more fun to recognize as a job well done when completed. Give yourself an extra pat on the back the next time you complete a project in your home by keeping the environment in mind. Want to learn more about how you can improve air quality in Maricopa County? Become part of the solution at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com today!

• At the bank or ATM — Park your car and walk into the bank the next time you need to deposit a check. With most banking systems entirely online and the average person using the ATM for most transactions, we rarely see the people with whom we entrust our money. Get to know your bank’s employees by conducting transactions inside and avoid the awkward hanging-out-the-window-craning-your-neck-to-see-the-screen ATM experience.

• At the coffee shop — Is your standard coffee order a grande latte with soy milk, one pump of sugar free vanilla syrup, two pumps of sugar free caramel syrup, cinnamon sprinkled on top, with an extra shot of espresso? That’s a mouthful to order in the drive-thru line before you’ve had your morning dose of caffeine. Plus, who wants to wait in a long drive-thru line when you can just park, go inside, and be greeted by a chipper barista who’s been up since 4 a.m., sure to put you in the mood to take on the day.

• At fast food restaurants — Similar to the coffee shop, ordering inside a fast food restaurant is often faster than waiting in a long drive-thru line. Additionally, by going inside, you have the opportunity to view the menu at your leisure without the pressure of a line of cars waiting behind you to place your order. And while it won’t burn off all the calories in that order of fries, the extra steps to and from your car will at least be a start!

• At the dry cleaner — Dry cleaners are doing their part to keep air pollution at a minimum by adhering to practices that minimize their emissions. Join their efforts by avoiding the drive-thru. In doing so, you’ll not only enjoy a quick walk, but you can also work on strengthening your biceps by carrying your clothes to and from the car.

• At the pharmacy — While many believe the drive-thru window of the pharmacy is convenient, it can also be intrusive. Instead of having the pharmacist explain confidential dosing information and side effects for everyone to hear via the loud speaker, go inside for your prescription. You will have more privacy and the ability to ask necessary questions without feeling like everyone is listening. Before you leave for the pharmacy, make a list of items that you need that you can purchase there, and combine your errands into one stop. Save gas and time, while reducing emissions from your car.

While it would be incredible for everyone to always forego the drive-thru for walking inside, it’s sometimes unavoidable: you’re pressed for time, you have a sleeping baby in the back seat, you brought your dog with you and can’t leave him in the car because it’s 100 degrees outside. Just do what you can. Avoiding the drive-thru when possible is still impactful in helping to reduce the pollution your car emits. Learn about other easy, impactful ways to make the commitment to improve the quality of our air at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com.

• Ditch the leaf blower, or use a rake and broom instead—
  While the leaf blower might be faster, using a rake and broom does the job just as effectively. Burn a few extra calories while raking, and imagine what your yard would have looked like in 1912.
• Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags—
  Arizonans were never asked the question, “paper or plastic?” when shopping for groceries in 1912. Grocery stores today have a lot more to offer than they did back then, so take advantage of the expanded selection and carry your groceries home in a more durable, reusable bag. Some grocery stores even offer discounts for bringing your own bags.
• Plant low water deciduous trees around your home to provide cooling shade in the summer—
  If there’s one thing we enjoy more of now than we did in 1912, it’s cool air. The advent of the air conditioning unit is something Arizonans will forever treasure, but give the environment and your electric bill a break by getting creative with your landscaping.
• Park your car and go inside instead of waiting in a long fast food restaurant or bank drive-thru lines—
  The convenience of fast food and ATMs are a couple of the luxuries we enjoy today that were not around in 1912.  Had they been around back then, drive-thru certainly wasn’t an option. Instead of idling (and emitting more pollution into the air) in a drive-thru line, park your car and walk up to the ATM or go inside the restaurant.
• Wash clothes with cold or warm water only and dry clothes on a line instead of in a dryer—
  Whether the year is 1912 or 2012, Arizonans have always had the right to brag about more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Take advantage of that natural source of heat! Your water heater won’t have to do as much work and your clothes will have the fresh smell of the outdoors.

In 1912, Arizonans had high hopes for the future of the newest state in the Union. In 2012, we have even higher hopes for the next 100 years. Perhaps in 2112, clean air efforts will be an every day practice for all. Help us reach that goal by becoming a Clean Air Champion, beginning with the tips above. Want to do more? Make the Clean Air Commitment today!