Particulates & Lead | Sources of Air Pollution | Air Apparent | Woodburning Fireplace Restrictions 
New Dust Control Ordinance  

Although complying with the air quality standards indicates relatively good air quality, there is a segment of the population that suffer physical problems, such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing or chest pains even when no air quality violations are recorded. People with respiratory problems are the most vulnerable. Children (because their respiratory systems are not fully developed) and the elderly also are at greater risk of being affected by high air pollution levels.

Particulates and Lead

Particulate matter consists of tiny dust particles, other solid particles (e.g., carbon) and water vapor that are suspended in the air. Although individual particles cannot be seen by the naked eye, when particulate matter levels are high they appear to us as smog, haze or brown cloud. Particulate matter concentrations are highest during the winter season when particulate emissions are trapped and kept close to the ground by thermal inversions. Thermal inversions cause air to stagnate. There are federal regulations governing the concentrations of PM-10 (particulate matter of 10 microns diameter in size) and PM-2.5 (2.5 microns diameter in size). The central portions of metropolitan Phoenix usually have the highest concentrations of particulate matter. Areas located close to construction sites disturbed vacant land, and agricultural activity also may have relatively high particulate matter levels.

Lead is a toxic element and is dangerous to human health even at relatively low levels. Lead levels in the atmosphere have declined considerably with the phasing out of lead in gasoline. Lead is still being released into the atmosphere through the burning of coal and oil for fuel. The Phoenix area is currently complying with the federal airborne lead standard.

Sources of Air Pollution      

The automobile (cars and trucks) is a large source of air pollution in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Fast Facts

• A majority (64.3 percent) of the carbon monixide in the Valley’s air comes from cars and trucks.
• About a third (32.9 percent) of the particulate matter in the air comes from automobiles. 
• Most particulates (43 percent) come from construction-related activity, while 22.6 percent comes from agriculture and vacant lots. 
• A small portion (1.5 percent) comes from point sources like power plants. 
  

Air Apparent

Current status of air quality in Maricopa County can be found on the County web page at http://www.maricopa.gov.

Woodburning Fireplace Restrictions  

Maricopa County prohibits the use of residential wood-burning fireplaces during high air pollution episodes.

• Call (602) 506-6400 for a recorded daily air quality advisory.
• Call (602) 506-6616 to register a complaint (that person is using a wood-burning fireplace during a time when a use restriction is in effect) with the county. In certain cases, the county issues exemptions to allow the use of wood fireplaces and woodstoves during high air pollution episodes.
• Call Maricopa County at (602) 506-6700 to apply for an exemption. More information is available on the Maricopa County Web page under Environmental Services at http://www.maricopa.gov.

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.

CLICK HERE to read a brochure on the ordinance.

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.