Meteorologists in Arizona are urging Maricopa County residents to avoid driving alone in an effort to decrease pollution as air quality is forecast to reach concerning levels.
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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued an ozone high pollution advisory for the Phoenix metropolitan area on Friday, according to an alert from the National Weather Service (NWS).
"This means that forecast weather conditions combined with existing ozone levels are expected to result in local maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations that pose a health risk," the NWS air quality alert said. "Adverse health effects increase as air quality deteriorates. Ozone is an air contaminant which can cause breathing difficulties for children, older adults, as well as persons with respiratory problems. A decrease in physical activity is recommended."
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In addition to decreasing physical activity, residents in the affected area are "urged to car pool, telecommute or use mass transit," the NWS alert said.
The alert added: "The use of gasoline-powered equipment should be reduced or done late in the day."
An ADEQ spokesperson told Newsweek that the department suggests individual actions people can take to help improve air quality, and carpooling is only one of them.
"ADEQ is forecasting weaker afternoon winds in Phoenix and, as a result, ozone levels could reach the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG)' Air Quality Index (AQI) category. Therefore, ADEQ has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for today (6/28) through Sunday (6/30) as winds will only get weaker over the next few days. When the wind is weak, ozone pollution builds up and becomes more concentrated. Beginning Monday, ozone levels will drop to the 'Moderate' AQI category due to increased cloud cover and chances for thunderstorms in the area, which will help limit ozone formation," a statement from the ADEQ said.
The statement continued: "Ozone and particulate matter pollution exacerbates breathing-related illnesses such as bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and other respiratory or pulmonary issues. When you see that the air quality forecast predicts an AQI indicating potentially harmful pollutant levels, take simple steps to reduce your exposure including choosing a less-strenuous activity, taking more breaks during outdoor activity, rescheduling activities to the morning or to another day as ozone levels are generally highest in the afternoon, moving your activity inside where ozone levels are usually lower."
Air quality changes depending on the time of day and weather conditions, the NWS said. However, there are factors that contribute to unusually high and persistent levels of ozone pollution, including chemical emission, heat, low winds and stagnant weather.
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Air quality alerts have increased since summer began and have impacted several states, including Texas, Indiana and California. On Friday morning, in addition to Arizona, there also was an air quality alert in place for Valley Air District in California.
"Residents are advised to use caution as conditions warrant," the California alert said. "In people with heart disease should follow their doctor's advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality. Short-term exposure to particle pollution has been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."
According to AirNow, a coalition between the U.S. government and tribal agencies that monitors air quality, Friday's air quality was expected to be the worst in southern California as the day progresses. Air quality also was expected to worsen throughout parts of Texas, the central United States, the Midwest and the East Coast. As of 8 a.m. Eastern time, Hidden Valley, Arizona, which is north of Phoenix, had an air quality index (AQI) of 130, according to AirNow, putting it in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category.
"Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects," AirNow said. "The general public is less likely to be affected."
Unhealthy air quality occurs when the AQI is measured between 151 and 200.
Update 6/28/24, 12:57 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from ADEQ.
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Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
