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Ground-level
Ozone Pollution Awareness
April marks the beginning of ground-level ozone pollution season.
Ground-level ozone is the principal component of what some call "smog" and is caused primarily by mobile source emissions (motorized vehicles). Other sources include industrial, power plants and biogenic emissions from certain types of vegetation.
In the Tucson region, ground-level ozone tends to be elevated in the spring and summer when there are more hours of intense sunlight. Breathing ozone can be unhealthy, especially for those who are sensitive to this pollutant. Some of the health effects that can occur include inflamed airways, difficulty breathing, coughing, and increases in asthma attacks.
There are many actions individuals can take to reduce contributing emissions. Incorporating these actions, even occasionally, will help protect air quality and the health of loved ones and Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.
Ways you can help reduce ozone emissions:
- Replace car trips with biking, walking or taking public transit.
- Maintain motor vehicles.
- Refuel in the evening, reducing the interaction between solar radiation and precursor pollutants.
- Share rides/carpool.
- Reduce vehicle idling.
- Work from home.
- Combine errands into one trip.
- Reduce the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
Additional information on ground-level ozone is available at www.pima.gov/HealthyAir.
Sign up to receive PDEQ Air Quality Action Day alerts when air pollutant concentrations have high potential of reaching unhealthy levels.
A special congratulations to The City of Tucson for exceeding
the ground-level ozone health-based air quality standard
at five different monitoring sites on April 17.
Proof that coordinated efforts by government and the public pay off.
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