The Phoenix metropolitan area is under a high pollution watch for ozone on Friday.
A high pollution advisory for millions of residents in the Phoenix metropolitan area has been issued for Friday.The National Weather Service said in an announcement that the alert has been released for Maricopa County, the most populated county in Arizona, which includes the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler and Scottsdale.
High pollution advisories are issued when forecast 'weather conditions combined with existing ozone levels are expected to result in local maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations that pose a health risk,' read the announcement.Read more: What Is a Health Savings Account?During the advisory, residents are 'urged to car pool, telecommute or use mass transit.' The NWS added that the 'use of gasoline-powered equipment should be reduced or done late in the day.'According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality , ozone is a colorless gas that, when at ground level in the Earth's atmosphere, can 'harm human health' and cause health problems such as coughing, breathing difficulties or lung damage. Exposure to ozone can also make people more susceptible to a lung infection, aggravated lung diseases or an increased frequency of asthma attacks.Read more: Compare the Top Health Savings Account Providers'Prolonged exposure to ground-level ozone concentrations is as harmful to human health as exposure to higher levels for shorter durations,' read a handout from the ADEQ.Those who have lung disease, such as asthma, are at greater risk of experiencing harmful symptoms from breathing in ozone. Children and teenagers whose lungs are still developing are also at a higher risk, as are older adults or people who are active outdoors for prolonged periods.The ADEQ suggests that during a high pollution advisory, residents should reduce their exposure to ozone by choosing 'a less-strenuous activity,' taking frequent breaks from being outdoors and rescheduling activities to the morning, since ozone levels are generally at their highest in the afternoon.To help reduce ozone, the ADEQ also suggests that residents ensure their vehicles' engines do not idle and to refuel vehicles in the evening or at night, when ozone levels have dropped.Friday's air quality index for Phoenix is forecast to reach moderate levels of ozone by 11 a.m. MST. By 1 p.m., the index is expected to rise and push the ozone levels to unhealthy marks for sensitive groups, according to the ADEQ.Maricopa County is also under a high pollution watch from Saturday to Monday.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Map Shows Which States Have the Most InfluencersInfluencers set up their business across the country, but some states have proven more attractive than others.
Read more »
Abortion Map Shows Countries With Tougher Rules Than Any US StateMap shows countries where having an abortion is punishable by a prison sentence amid protests in Brazil over abortion rights.
Read more »
Map Shows States That Have Executed Death Row Inmates in 2024Seven inmates on death row in five states were executed so far this year, with more scheduled in the coming days.
Read more »
Map Shows 'Better Organized' Tropical Disturbance in AtlanticForecasters at the National Weather Service are monitoring two systems in the Atlantic Ocean.
Read more »
Drinking Water Map Shows Cities With High Contamination LevelsCities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New Jersey are in areas where there are high numbers of water systems above the limit.
Read more »
Map Shows Where Torrential Rain Will Fall in DesertMonsoon-like conditions persist in the Four Corners region, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch.
Read more »