The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an ozone high-pollution advisory for Maricopa County that will go into effect on Wednesday, according to a news release. 

Ozone levels are expected to exceed the federal health standards. ADEQ advises residents to limit outdoor activity during the advisory period and for businesses to enact high-pollution travel programs.

ADEQ said those most affected by ozone are children, senior citizens, people who work or exercise outside and those with pre-existing respiratory disease.

Ozone can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate asthma and reduce the immune system’s ability to fight off respiratory infections. Ozone-related health problems include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea and throat and lung irritation, according to ADEQ. 

ADEQ, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department and Valley Metro recommend the following tips to reduce ozone pollution:  

• Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute.
• Re-fuel your vehicle after dark.
• Avoid waiting in long drive-through lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks — park your car and go inside.
• Visit valleymetro.org and ShareTheRide.com to plan a transit trip or find a carpool or vanpool.
• Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers and delay big painting projects.
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
• Visit cleanairmakemore.com to learn more about reducing air pollution.

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