Pollution Advisories: Why You Should Care
Depending on the status of air quality, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will issue restrictions, categorized as a “High Pollution Advisory” or a “Health Watch.” A “High Pollution Advisory,” or “HPA,” means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Everyone, especially people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. “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.
What Causes Pollution in Maricopa County?
All of us are equally responsible. Reducing the amount of particulate matter that gets into our air is not just a problem for the government or for science alone. It is a problem for the residents and visitors living and breathing in Maricopa County, as well. Human activity is behind most of our top air pollution causes, but there is a way to clean our air. There are plenty of easy changes each of us can commit to do to stop polluting. This website offers many tips you can incorporate into your daily routine to help make more clean air. In addition, it’s important to know the rules; with current air quality restrictions through our mobile app and website.
PM-10/Dust
PM-10 is 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/grinding operations, as well as windblown dust.
PM-2.5/Smoke
PM-2.5 is 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.
Ozone
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 Maricopa County’s longer-than-normal “ozone season.”
Carbon Monoxide
A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels including gasoline, oil and wood.
High Pollution Advisories
A “High Pollution Advisory,” or “HPA,” means 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.
What’s Causing Today’s High Pollution Advisory?
HPAs are issued for Ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants.
Ozone pollution is a concern in the warmer months of April through September. Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ozone HPAs are issued when the highest concentration of ozone pollution may exceed the federal health standard.
PM10 is coarse particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter. These particulates are generally emitted from sources such as vehicles traveling on unpaved roads, materials handling, and crushing and grinding operations, as well as windblown dust. PM10 HPAs are issued when the highest concentration of PM10 pollution may exceed the federal health standard.
PM2.5 is 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. PM2.5 HPAs are issued when the highest concentration of PM2.5 pollution may exceed the federal health standard.
Health Watches
A “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.
What’s Causing Today’s Health Watch?
Health Watches are issued for Ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants.
Ozone pollution is a concern in the warmer months of April through September. Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ozone Heath Watches are issued when the highest concentration of ozone pollution may approach the federal health standard.
PM10 is coarse particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter. These particulates are generally emitted from sources such as vehicles traveling on unpaved roads, materials handling, and crushing and grinding operations, as well as windblown dust. PM10 Heath Watches are issued when the highest concentration of PM10 pollution may approach the federal health standard.
PM2.5 is 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. PM2.5 Health Watches are issued when the highest concentration of PM2.5 pollution may approach the federal health standard.
PM-2.5
PM-2.5 is 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.
PM-2.5 Restrictions
During a PM-2.5 Health Watch, woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires are restricted in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning and woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.
During a PM-2.5 High Pollution Advisory, leaf blowers & off-highway vehicles (OHV’s) and open burning/woodburning activity are restricted in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning and woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.
PM-2.5 Tips
- Avoid woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires.
- Avoid using leaf blowers and other equipment that raise a lot of dust.
- Avoid activities that generate dust, such as driving on dirt roads.
PM-10/Dust
PM-10 is 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/grinding operations, as well as windblown dust.
PM-10 Restrictions
During a PM-10 Health Watch, woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires are restricted in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning and woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.
During a PM-10 High Pollution Advisory, leaf blowers, off-highway vehicles and open burning/woodburning activity are restricted in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning and woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.
PM-10 Tips
- Avoid using leaf blowers and other equipment that raise a lot of dust.
- Avoid activities that generate dust, such as driving on dirt roads.
- Maintain your landscape. Cover loose dirt with vegetation or gravel.
Ozone
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 Maricopa County’s longer-than-normal “ozone season.”
Ozone Restrictions
During an Ozone High Pollution Advisory, leaf blowers & open burning/woodburning activity is restricted in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning and woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants. are prohibited from being used in Maricopa County.
Ozone Tips
- Drive less. When possible, walk, ride a bike, carpool, van pool or use public transportation.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go inside.
- Re-fuel your vehicle after dark (or during cooler, evening hours).
Carbon Monoxide
A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas, produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels including gasoline, oil and wood.
