MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has announced a High Pollution Advisory for Maricopa County for Dec. 24 and 25.
The announcement comes as many are gearing up to travel for the holidays, including Christmas and Kwanzaa.
The issuing of a High Pollution Advisory puts multiple restrictions into place, including restrictions on wood burning, leaf blowing for government entities, and off-highway vehicle usage.
The department had many recommendations for those in Maricopa County to lessen the pollution. Those recommendations included:
- Drive as little as possible by carpooling, using public transit, or telecommuting
- Reduce your time waiting in long drive-thru lines
- Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours
- Avoid using leaf blowers by using a rake or broom instead
- Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers
- Delay big painting projects until after the high-pollution advisory
- Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air
You can learn more about transportation alternatives that limit pollution in the Valley here.
