Restrictions

Please refer to the information below to find out what restrictions, if any, are prohibited based on the current air quality status. Depending on the status of Air Quality restrictions will change, so be sure to take note of the differences.


Ozone High Pollution Advisory

Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds [VOCs] to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal “ozone season.”

High Pollution Advisory is the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Maricopa County employers enlisted in the Trip Reduction Program are asked to activate their HPA plans on high pollution advisory days.

  • - Leaf blowers being used on governmental properties
     
  • - Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires.

PM-10 High Pollution Advisory

Coarse particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter that are generally emitted from sources such as vehicles traveling on unpaved roads, materials handling, and crushing and grinding operations, as well as windblown dust.

  • - Leaf blowers being used on governmental properties
     
  • - Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires.
     
  • - Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) being used in Area A

PM-2.5 High Pollution Advisory

Fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that result from fuel combustion from motor vehicles, power generation, and industrial facilities, as well as from residential fireplaces and wood stoves.

  • - Leaf blowers being used on governmental properties
     
  • - Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires.
     
  • - Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) being used in Area A

PM-10 or PM-2.5 Health Watch

"Health Watch" means the highest concentration of pollution may approach the federal health standard. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion during a health watch.

  • - Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires.

Ozone Health Watch

"Health Watch" means the highest concentration of pollution may approach the federal health standard. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion during a health watch.

Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds [VOCs] to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal “ozone season.”

  • There are currently no restrictions for Ozone Health Watches

 

Woodburning

Burning wood in fireplaces and wood stoves, as well as burning leaves, trash or other materials…read more

Leaf Blowers

Leaf blowers and gas powered lawn and garden equipment can raise large amounts of dust…read more

Off-Highway Vehicles

Driving off-highway vehicles on dirt and unpaved roads stir up particulate matter, adding to our pollution problem…read more