Is The Air Quality in Arizona Bad & Is It a Health Concern?
Arizona has received a good score in the Air Quality Check. The problem is that highly populated cities like Phoenix and Tucson continue to fail the air quality test.
The reasoning behind this isn’t all just because of vehicle emissions. Sure vehicles are part of the problem and that is why we test for vehicle emissions but any type of smoke from factories or even natural fires can hurt our air quality.
Sunshine and a high heat index mixed with some pollutants cause a chemical reaction which is how Smog is created. We already deal with some pretty high temperatures which are said to increase the speed at which these chemical reactions occur in the air. Once the pollutants begin to change they cause damage to the Ozone which is why it seems to get hotter each year.
Rain is said to push down and wash away air pollutants but it doesn’t rain very often in Arizona with it being a desert and all when it does come we can enjoy knowing that it is washing away the pollutants in our air and we can breathe a little easier.
So, What Does It Have To Do With Health?
When the Air Quality is bad it’s a good idea to stay home and maybe change out your air filters. This is more important for people who deal with Asthma, Lung Disease, or any other breathing condition that people may have. Breathing heavily polluted air is bad for everyone but for people with lung issues, it could be even worse. You can check the local weather to see what level the air quality is at each day if you are concerned but the best thing to do is to work to reduce pollutants so that we can all enjoy good quality air to breathe.
Beyond Emissions, Here Are Some Things You Can Do To Help.
There are many things we can do to help reduce air pollution. Weather.gov provided these helpful tips that every Arizona citizen can follow to help reduce the air pollution levels in your city.
- Eliminate tobacco smoke
- Reduce your use of wood stoves and fireplaces
- Don’t burn candles, leaves, garbage, plastic, or rubber
- Use HEPA air filters and air cleaners designed to reduce particles
- Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk
- Keep the car, boat, and other engines tuned
- Inflate tires to the recommended pressure
- When refueling: stop when the pump shuts off, avoid spilling fuel, and tighten your gas cap
- Use low-VOC paint and cleaning products, and seal and store them so they can’t evaporate
- Choose energy-saving appliances
- Set thermostats higher in summer and lower in winter
- Turn off lights you are not using