Pima County, Ariz. – The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for particulate-matter air pollution on Wednesday.

Dry conditions and gusty winds are causing elevated levels of airborne particulate matter. Particulate matter is made up of tiny specks of soot, dust, vehicle emissions and aerosols suspended in the air.

The advisory is for a 24-hour period.

Individuals with heart disease and respiratory sensitivities may wish to reduce their exposure to outside air Wednesday afternoon and night, DEQ advises.If you go outside, it is suggested you reduce your level of exertion to decrease the amount of particulates you breathe into your lungs.

 PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 18 different air quality monitoring sites. Up-to-the-hour air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website www.AirInfoNow.org or by calling the PDEQ hotline at (520) 882-4AIR.

Pima County, Ariz. (Feb. 27, 2012) – The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Monday for particulate matter pollution. The advisory is in effect for 24 hours.

Dry conditions and wind gusts forecast at up to 45 miles per hour will likely cause high levels of airborne particulate matter. Particulate matter is made up of the tiny specks of soot, dust, and aerosols that are suspended in the air we breathe.

Individuals with heart disease and respiratory sensitivities may wish to reduce their exposure to outside air Monday afternoon and night. If  you go outside, it is suggested you reduce your level of exertion to decrease the amount of particulates you breathe into your lungs.

PDEQ monitors air pollution in the region at 18 different air quality monitoring sites. Up-to-the-hour air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website www.AirInfoNow.org or by calling the PDEQ hotline at (520) 882-4AIR.

Pima County, Ariz. (Nov. 4, 2011) – The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Friday for particulate matter pollution, due to forecasted high winds.

Dry conditions and wind gusts forecasted at up to 50 miles per hour will likely cause high levels of airborne particulate matter later in the day.

Particulate matter readings from PDED monitoring sites were elevated late Friday morning and as wind speeds continue to increase throughout the day, the particulate levels will get higher. Particulate matter is tiny specks of soot, dust, and aerosols that are suspended in the air.

Individuals with heart disease and respiratory sensitivities may wish to reduce their exposure to outside air this afternoon and tonight. And, if you need to go outside, it is suggested you reduce your level of exertion to decrease the amount of particulates you breathe into your lungs.

The advisory will remain in effect as long as current weather conditions continue.

PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 18 different air quality monitoring sites. Up-to-the-hour air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website www.AirInfoNow.org or by calling the PDEQ hotline at (520) 882-4AIR.

Pima County, Ariz. (June 27) – Try to barbecue without the lighter fluid over the July 4 holiday weekend and you’ll reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds released into the air.

Mixed with sunshine, those chemicals add to ground-level ozone.

If you plan to use charcoal, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality recommends using a charcoal chimney and crumpled paper instead of lighter fluid – which costs about $4 a can – to light your barbecue fire.

A charcoal chimney costs about $15 and lasts for years. It’s a simple piece of pipe with a handle and a grate in the bottom that holds the charcoal.

Once you light the paper and start the fire, the coals will be ready for grilling in about 15 minutes.

Grilling with propane gas, natural gas or solar energy also reduces air pollution.

The Tucson area is close to exceeding the federal government’s standard for ground-level ozone. Once ozone measures above the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s ground-level ozone standard, it can cause health problems for some people.

Elevated levels of ground-level ozone can affect children, the elderly and people with lung or heart disease, including asthma and congestive heart failure.

Pima County also suggests using plates, napkins, and forks and knives that can be used again, to help save natural resources by reducing waste.

And, it’s cheaper to use a paste made of baking soda and water, and a wire brush, to clean your barbecue grill. It costs pennies and is completely non-toxic. Aerosol oven cleaners give off toxic fumes.