An ozone health watch has been issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for Thursday. The alert follows two days of high pollution advisories.
With the health watch, the ozone levels may approach federal standards. Children and adults susceptible to respiratory illness may want to reduce time outdoors on Thursday. Because of the wind directions, the release states the East Valley will be most prone to high ozone levels this evening, which could stick around Thursday.
Ozone is a pollutant formed by a reaction of other pollutants when heat and sunlight are present. It can aggravate pre-existing respiratory issues such as asthma and can cause a decrease in lung function.
Some ways to reduce ozone include carpooling and refueling cars after the sun goes down.
