Phoenix still has better air quality than East Coast despite pollution advisory
An air quality alert was issued for Maricopa County on Thursday. Even with the alert, the county's air quality is still significantly better than in parts of the East Coast, where smoke from Canadian wildfires has been impacting cities like New York City.
On Thursday morning, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZDEQ) issued a High Pollution Advisory for the Phoenix area. The advisory which comes into effect on Friday, is expected to impact 1.7 million residents.
The advisory places restrictions on wood burning in residential areas of Maricopa County, and prohibits the use of leaf blowers. Furthermore, officials are encouraging the public to avoid the use of off-road vehicles.
Arizona air quality significantly better than East Coast
As of Thursday, the air quality in Phoenix was relatively good with a 40 on the AQI scale. The AQI scale measures the levels of pollutants in the air, with a lower score meaning a cleaner air. These relatively good levels differ greatly from other parts of the country mainly the Northeast, which is being impacted by wildfire smoke from Canada.
In New York, which had a 174 AQI level as of Thursday, pictures of a smoked-out skyline went viral showing the effects of the worsened air quality in the area. In Washington, DC, Thursday's Arizona Diamondbacks-Washington Nationals game had to be postponed due to the low air quality levels in the area.
How can I check air quality in Arizona?
Air quality can always be checked using an index map or by visiting any of the ADEQ forecast reports updated hourly online.
ADEQ also provides a list of the three levels of precaution to follow:
Level one: Stay smoke aware (no smoke, haze, light smoke, smoke in the vicinity)
Level two: Reduce outdoor activities (smoke in the vicinity, patchy smoke, widespread moderate smoke)
Level three: Stay indoors (heavy to dense smoke)
How can I help prevent ozone pollution?
AZDEQ gave recommendations to residents on how to mitigate ozone pollution:
Drive as little as possible: carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro: www.ShareTheRide.com.
Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
Reduce your time waiting in long drive-thru lines. For example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks. Park your vehicle and go inside.
Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
Delay big painting projects until HPAs have passed.
Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
Conserve electricity.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix air quality is better than East Coast despite pollution advisory
