Air Quality Alert: Ozone High Pollution Advisory Issued for Maricopa County and the Phoenix Metro Area
Residents across Maricopa County, including the Phoenix metropolitan area, are under an Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Elevated ground-level ozone is expected to reach levels that exceed federal health standards, creating unhealthy air conditions for sensitive groups and potentially affecting all residents.
Why the Advisory Was Issued
Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from vehicles, industrial activities, gasoline-powered equipment, and other pollution sources react with intense Arizona sunshine. During the hot summer months, these conditions allow ozone concentrations to build rapidly across the Phoenix area. Forecast weather conditions combined with existing pollution levels have prompted ADEQ to issue the advisory.
Health Impacts of High Ozone Levels
Exposure to elevated ozone pollution can cause:
- Difficulty breathing
- Throat and lung irritation
- Coughing and chest discomfort
- Reduced lung function
- Increased asthma attacks
- Worsening symptoms for people with chronic respiratory illnesses
Those most at risk include:
- Children
- Older adults
- Individuals with asthma or other lung diseases
- People who work or exercise outdoors
Even healthy individuals may experience respiratory irritation during periods of high ozone pollution.
How to Protect Yourself
During the advisory, residents are encouraged to:
- Limit prolonged outdoor activity, especially during the afternoon and early evening.
- Reduce strenuous exercise outdoors.
- Carpool, use public transportation, or telework when possible.
- Delay using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until later in the day.
- Reduce vehicle trips whenever possible.
- Follow local air quality updates before spending extended time outside.
Temporary Restrictions
As part of the High Pollution Advisory, Maricopa County has implemented temporary restrictions that include:
- Prohibiting residential wood burning in fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires.
- Prohibiting government employees and contractors from operating leaf blowers.
- Encouraging residents to avoid using leaf blowers and off-road vehicles during the advisory period.
Stay Air Quality Aware
Air quality conditions can change quickly during Arizona’s summer heat. Residents of Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Chandler, and surrounding communities should continue monitoring official forecasts until the advisory expires. Taking simple steps to reduce emissions and limiting outdoor exposure can help protect both individual health and regional air quality.
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