New Dust Control Ordinance Goes Into Effect March 31
Did you know that the dust in the air can be unhealthy to you and your loved ones? Dust particles are so small that they can pass through your throat and nose and into your lungs, and may even get into the bloodstream.
Consider this:
- Dust, such as those from unpaved roads and surfaces can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects.
- Exposure to dust is linked to decreased lung function, chronic bronchitis, and aggravated asthma.
- In 2005, the average hospital stay for Arizona residents with asthma was 3.2 days;
- In 2005, the number of Arizona residents having respiratory operations was 19,655.
The Valley continues to violate the federal air quality standards for particulate mater (PM-10), which includes dust and soot. The dirty air not only impact public health, but if not corrected could result in the loss of millions of dollars in federal highway funds for the Valley.
The State of Arizona passed a new air quality law that requires cities and Maricopa County to adopt local ordinances to control dust by March 31, 2008.
The city of Glendale, along with the other Valley cities and Maricopa County are committed to adopt and implement dust control ordinances.
This new ordinance, which goes into effect March 31, will include air quality measures that will restrict vehicular use and parking on vacant lots, require paving or stabilization existing unpaved parking lots, restrict off-road vehicle use, and strengthen trespassing laws and ordinances. In addition, this ordinance includes the ban of blowing landscape debris into public roadways at any time by any person.
Read about the Ordinance - To read the state requirements for city ordinances relating to PM-10 Dust control measures, click here.
For more information on leaf blower usage and guidelines, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality web site at: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/blower.html.
For more information on the city ordinance, call the Glendale Code Compliance Department at 623.930.3610. For more information on air quality, call Glendale Environmental Resources at 623.930. 2580.
