Why is the air in Phoenix so dirty during the holiday season? Here’s what to know
Holiday pollution: how to avoid increasing pollutants in Phoenix The Arizona Republic
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The Impact of Winter Air Pollution on Public Health in Phoenix
The holiday season is a period of rejoicing and spending time with loved ones, but as air quality worsens — as it does almost every December across Phoenix — holiday activities can create harmful conditions that compromise the health and safety of the people who live here.
When temperatures cool across the Phoenix area, more people start burning their wood fireplaces, pits and start setting off fireworks, which result in higher levels of air pollution. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 70% of smoke from chimneys can reenter you and your neighbor’s home.
Although pollution levels usually climb highest in the weeks right before and after Christmas, the brown cloud many residents saw hanging over the Phoenix area this last week was helped, in part, by fireplace use and lack of storm activity. Burn restrictions were posted on several separate days.
“So many of us add to the pollutants in the air, but all residents can also contribute to reducing air pollution this holiday season, so we can enjoy the festivities without having to breathe dirty, damaging air,” said Ari Halpert, communications department officer at the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
Causes and Dangers of Poor Air Quality
When cold weather makes its way into our bowl-shaped metropolitan area, the temperature on the ground is lower than the temperature of the air above it, causing a change in pressure. This pressure acts as a lid on the lower terrain.
Instead of moving upward and escaping, the air — and everything in it — is stuck under this lid of pressure. The haze you see hanging over the Phoenix area is not fog, but a mixture of smoke, dust and other pollutants trapped in the air.
The two main pollutants for Maricopa County in the winter months are PM2.5 (smoke) and PM10, (dust). These particulates are so small that they can easily be inhaled, getting deep into lungs and bloodstream.
Smoke particulates are so minuscule — PM2.5 pollutants are 2.5 micrometers or smaller — that the average size of a single human hair is 30 times larger than one particle.
Impact on Public Health
Just because you cannot see the pollutants in the air does not mean they are not affecting you. Children, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory conditions like asthma are all vulnerable.
Breathing in these microscopic pollutants causes them to get deep into the lung tissue. This aggravates the lining of the lung, creating inflammation, and causing serious issues for those with heart conditions, existing chronic lung diseases and asthmatics, said Barbara Burkholder, a board member of the Arizona Asthma Coalition.
Brittney Peck, a mother of two girls, was diagnosed with asthma five years ago. Peck is very active, enjoying hikes and biking with her family, playing pickleball and coaching both of her daughters in softball.
“Sometimes, I do have to say ‘no’ to the activities I love,” said Peck. “On days when the air quality is poor, I stay indoors. I don’t want to chance an asthma attack.”
Itchy eyes and shortness of breath are not her only concerns. Peck’s heart rate also spikes when the air is thick with pollutants. She is not the only one in her family affected by this condition.
Peck’s 12-year-old daughter, Madelynn, has asthma as well. She has had the disease for three years, and dealing with it has not gotten any easier for her.
“Softball is my passion, and sometimes I have to sit out an inning in a game because I am having a hard time breathing,” said Madelynn. “In the winter especially, my chest gets really tight and I get shortness of breath.”
Children are at a much higher risk of both short and long-term health issues from breathing in these particles due to the proportion of the lung size to the body. Though, adults and the elderly are vulnerable.
Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals
It is crucial to address the issue of air pollution in Phoenix to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By reducing air pollution, we can protect public health and improve the quality of life for residents.
Actions to Improve Air Quality
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) recently launched its annual “Burn Cleaner, Burn Better” campaign, with the aim of educating the public about the potential harms of air pollutants and encouraging residents to do their part in improving air quality.
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent some of the pollution going into the air.
- Instead of using conventional wood stoves, MCAQD is encouraging businesses and residents to use alternatives such as propane, electric, and natural gas stoves.
- The Maricopa County Propane Fire Pit Program allows any resident of the county to sign up and receive a $75 voucher — with a limit of one voucher per household — to redeem at any participating Home Depot location to buy a new propane fire pit.
- Another option offered is the Maricopa County fireplace retrofit program. Residents can sign up to receive $2,000 toward retrofitting their existing wood-burning fireplace.
By adopting these alternatives and retrofitting programs, residents can enjoy their activities without contributing to air pollution.
Impact of Fireworks
As damaging as burning wood is to everyone in the Phoenix area, it’s not the only source of pollutants in the air. Burkholder and Halpert both stressed the harm fireworks cause.
“Fireworks create a huge amount of PM2.5. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are especially bad,” Burkholder said. “Sometimes the amount of PM2.5 soars above 300% of the EPA health levels that are required.”
Because of that, Halpert encourages all residents to avoid setting off fireworks.
Monitoring Air Quality
To help keep track of the air quality in Maricopa County, MCAQD offers an app called Clean Air. The app allows users to check the daily air quality, get alerts for no burn days, and more. It is available for both iPhone and Android users.
Caralin Nunes writes about weather and related topics for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Email her with story tips at caralin.nunes@arizonarepublic.com
You can support environmental journalism in Arizona by subscribing to azcentral today.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Indicator: Air quality index and levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants.
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 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.
- Indicator: Air quality index and levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants.
The article discusses the issue of poor air quality in Phoenix during the holiday season, which is connected to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The specific targets under these SDGs that can be identified based on the article’s content are Target 3.9 (reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution) and Target 11.6 (reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality).
The article mentions the indicators of air quality index and levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants, which can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators provide quantitative data on the concentration of pollutants in the air, allowing for monitoring and assessment of air quality.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Air quality index and levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 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 and levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants. |
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: azcentral.com
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