The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality high pollution advisory for ozone Thursday.
It is the second high pollution advisory of the year.
An advisory is issued when ozone levels are expected to exceed federal standards. In this case, it is being issued because already elevated readings of ground level ozone are being exacerbated by intense sunlight, little wind activity, high temperatures approaching 110 and some ozone transport from California.
Ozone is an invisible gas that can aggravate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and other chronic lung conditions and can damage cells that line the lungs. Ozone is created when other pollutants in the air - such as combustion from vehicles - are heated. Thursday may be the hottest day of the year so far, according to the National Weather Service.
Children and adults with respiratory problems should avoid outdoor activities after noon on Thursday, when ozone creation is at its peak, and suggests that the general public limit outdoor activity during the afternoon.
With the high pollution advisory, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department is enforcing the "no burn day" restrictions for Maricopa County. Residents and businesses must refrain from burning wood in fireplaces, wood stoves or outdoor fire pits during this 24-hour period. Restrictions also include the use of leaf blowers on governmental properties.
Poorman posted at 7:29 am on Thu, Jun 24, 2010.
Thought years back the the anti pollution folks told us that with all the emission improvements,higher cost gasoline etc. we would solve the problem of high pollution Ya right! Lets see we have less older cars on the street,higher cost gasoline,etc.,etc. Good thing we did something besides make a lot of people richer that sold us this bull,or we would all be dead now.