40 continuous days of air-pollution alerts for Maricopa County

Julian Alberto Hernandez | The Republic/azcental.com

Show Caption Hide Caption What is ozone? Pollution is an ongoing problem in our world today. Take a look at ozone gas and the effects it can have around you.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality on Friday issued its 40th straight day of air-pollution alerts for Maricopa County.

The ADEQ issued a high-pollution advisory Friday for ozone levels in Maricopa County that will become effective Sunday. A similar advisory for Friday was issued earlier this week.

A statement from the Maricopa County Air Quality Department attributed the consecutive days of air-pollution alerts to a stricter federal ozone health standard and high temperatures reacting with pollutants.

In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency lowered the acceptable amounts of ground-level ozone from 75 parts per million to 70 parts per million. This was done as a revision to the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect more vulnerable populations, such as children and people with asthma, according to an EPA fact sheet on the changes.

Monsoon storms are helpful in reducing the amount of ozone pollutants in the air, but when the storms develop later in the evening they have less of an impact on ozone levels, according to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department email.

The ADEQ uses an Air Quality Index to help residents plan their outdoor activities in response to different levels of pollutants. When the ozone index reaches 101 or above, sensitive groups — such as people with lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers — are advised to reduce heavy or prolonged outdoor activities.

Ten out of the 12 first days of August had an ozone air-quality index of 101 or higher.

State and local air-quality departments and Valley Metro have issued the following tips and resources for reducing ozone pollution:

Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute

Refuel your vehicle after dark

Avoid waiting in long drive-through lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks – park your car and go inside

Visit valleymetro.org and 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 – 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

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