Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued for Wednesday, April 17
News Flash • Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued for Wednes Maricopa County, AZ
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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Issues Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Maricopa County
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Maricopa County, effective Wednesday, April 17. This HPA is due to ozone levels expected to accumulate enough to exceed the federal health standard for ozone.
Ground-level ozone forms when two types of pollutants — volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and nitrous oxides (NOx) — react in sunlight. These pollutants come primarily from automobiles, but also from other sources including industries, power plants and products such as solvents and paints. Generally, the highest levels of ozone occur in the afternoon.
People most affected by ozone include children, senior citizens, people who work or exercise outdoors and people with pre-existing respiratory disease. Ozone can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate asthma and reduce the immune system’s ability to fight off respiratory infections. Ozone-related health problems include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and throat and lung irritation.
This High Pollution Advisory includes the following restrictions:
- Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers.
- Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires is restricted.
Employers and Travel Reduction Program Transportation Coordinators are advised to activate their HPA Plans immediately. ADEQ further recommends that the general public limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.
ADEQ, Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) and Valley Metro recommend residents and businesses use the following tips and resources to reduce ozone pollution and make the air healthier to breathe:
- Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute
- Re-fuel your vehicle after dark
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks – park your car and go inside
- Visit ShareTheRide.com to plan a transit trip or find a carpool or vanpool
- Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers and delay big painting projects
- Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air
- Visit CleanAirMakeMore.com to learn more about reducing air pollution
BACKGROUND
- High Pollution Advisory (HPA): Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is expected to exceed the federal health standard
- Health Watch: Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is expected to approach the federal health standard
- Ozone: Ground-level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction among sunlight, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and VOCs
CONTACTS
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is a regulatory agency whose goal is to ensure federal clean air standards are achieved and maintained for the residents and visitors of Maricopa County. The mission of MCAQD is to improve the air of Maricopa County so customers, residents and visitors can live, work and play in a healthy environment.The department is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and follows air quality standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act. The department offers air quality information and resources on its Clean Air Make More website: CleanAirMakeMore.com.
CONTACT: Bob Huhn – 602-506-6713 (desk) | 602-526-7307 (cell)
Follow us on Twitter: @cleanairmakemor
Like us on Facebook: @CleanAirMakeMore
Follow us on Instagram: @maricopacountycleanair
Download our Clean Air Make More app! It is free to download and use and is available on iTunes for iPhone and iPad and on Google Play for Android.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) provides a daily forecast for air quality and issues HPAs or Health Watches when these conditions exist. Please visit azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/ensemble.pdf or call (602) 771-2367 for tomorrow’s forecast or SUBSCRIBE to receive air quality forecasts via email and/or text message.
CONTACT: Erin Jordan – 602-771-2215 (desk) | 602-540-8072 (cell)
Valley Metro provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, and bicycle and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local, state and federal revenues; and administered by a board of
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the issuance of an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) due to ozone levels exceeding the federal health standard. This directly relates to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The impacts of ozone on respiratory health, especially for vulnerable populations, highlight the importance of addressing this issue.
The article also mentions restrictions on activities such as operating leaf blowers and wood burning in residential fireplaces. These measures are aimed at reducing air pollution and improving air quality, which aligns with SDG 11’s goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Furthermore, the formation of ground-level ozone is a result of pollutants reacting in sunlight, contributing to climate change. This connection to climate change makes it relevant to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
The article highlights the health risks associated with ozone pollution, indicating the need to reduce illnesses caused by air pollution, which aligns with SDG 3.9.
The restrictions on certain activities and the recommendations to reduce ozone pollution demonstrate efforts to improve air quality in cities, contributing to SDG 11.6.
Addressing the formation of ground-level ozone is also relevant to SDG 13.1, as it involves taking action to mitigate climate-related hazards and reduce the impact of air pollution on climate change.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of days with Ozone High Pollution Advisories (HPAs)
- Reduction in respiratory illnesses related to ozone pollution
- Air quality index measurements for ozone levels
The article mentions the issuance of an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA), indicating that the number of days with HPAs can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards reducing ozone pollution.
The reduction in respiratory illnesses, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing, can serve as an indicator of progress in achieving SDG 3.9.
Air quality index measurements specifically for ozone levels can be used to monitor and assess progress in reducing ozone pollution and improving air quality in cities, contributing to SDG 11.6 and SDG 13.1.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Reduction in respiratory illnesses related to ozone pollution – Number of days with Ozone High Pollution Advisories (HPAs) |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Air quality index measurements for ozone levels – Number of days with Ozone High Pollution Advisories (HPAs) |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Air quality index measurements for ozone levels – Number of days with Ozone High Pollution Advisories (HPAs) |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: maricopa.gov
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