Brian Barton
Phoenix, Arizona, is a city that struggles with air pollution. While the air quality is considered good on annual and monthly averages, the city still experiences unhealthy ozone and PM2.5 days. From 2016 to 2018, there was an average of 46.5 days of poor air quality, with ozone levels deemed unhealthy for 39.8 of those days. Maricopa County, of which Phoenix is the county seat, was ranked 7th out of 228 metropolitan areas for high ozone days. The primary sources of pollution in Phoenix are transportation and industrial manufacturing, and the city's warm climate contributes to the formation of ozone, a harmful pollutant that can have adverse health effects on vulnerable populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall Air Quality Index | 45 |
| PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) AQI | 45 |
| PM10 (respirable particulate matter) AQI | 25 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) AQI | N/A |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) AQI | N/A |
| O3 (ozone) AQI | 22 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) AQI | 3 |
| Ozone levels | Highest between 11 am-6 pm |
| Air quality in summer | Cleaner |
| Air quality in winter | More polluted |
| Cleanest months | May and June |
| Most polluted months | November and December |
| Primary cause of air pollution | Ozone |
| Number of unhealthy air days from 2016-2018 | 46.5 |
| Air quality in early 2021 | Good |
| US AQI reading in early 2021 | 36 |
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What You'll Learn
Phoenix's air quality is generally rated as good
On average, Phoenix's air quality index is rated below 50, which is considered "good". The air quality tends to be cleaner in the summer and more polluted in the winter, with May and June being the cleanest months and November and December the most polluted. Despite this, the city still experiences unhealthy ozone and PM2.5 days. From 2016 to 2018, there was a weighted average of 46.5 days of unhealthy air, with a similar number of days deemed unhealthy for ozone alone.
Ozone is a significant contributor to Phoenix's air pollution, and it is a challenging pollutant to control as it is formed in the atmosphere from other pollutants. Warmer temperatures and sunlight contribute to higher ozone levels, and ozone pollution can have adverse health effects, particularly for children, older adults, and those with asthma and other lung diseases. Exposure to ozone can increase the severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung diseases, and reduce the body's ability to fight infection.
To improve air quality and reduce ozone pollution, health experts recommend lowering federal standards and focusing on transportation, as well as encouraging the use of cleaner fuels and remote work. Individual actions, such as driving less, carpooling, using public transportation, and reducing the use of certain chemicals, can also help reduce ozone levels. Overall, while Phoenix has experienced periods of good air quality, there is a continued effort to meet current ozone standards and improve the overall air quality of the city.
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Ozone is the city's greatest contributor to pollution
Phoenix has been ranked as having some of the worst air quality in the country, according to the American Lung Association's State of the Air Report. The city's greatest challenge to air quality is ozone pollution.
Ozone is a gas pollutant formed when nitrogen oxides and organic substances react under sunlight. It is considered a difficult pollutant to control because it is not released directly but rather formed in the atmosphere from other pollutants. The abundant sunlight and heat required for ozone formation mean that Phoenix's ozone levels tend to be worse in the summer than in the winter. In 2019, unhealthy ozone levels only occurred between May 3rd and September 13th. Maricopa County, of which Phoenix is the county seat, was rated an "F" and ranked 7th out of 228 metropolitan areas for high ozone days. From 2016 to 2018, there was an average of 39.8 days deemed unhealthy due to ozone alone.
The primary source of ozone pollution in Phoenix is transportation. The city is surrounded by busy freeways, construction zones, and agricultural fields, which contribute to dust and ozone throughout the year. These microscopic pollutants pose serious risks to personal health, as they can be inhaled, aggravating the lung lining and causing inflammation. This is especially harmful to those with heart conditions, existing chronic lung diseases, and asthma.
To reduce ozone levels, health experts recommend lowering the federal standard for acceptable ozone levels to better protect vulnerable populations from adverse health effects. Individuals can also play a role in reducing ozone by driving less, carpooling, using public transportation, or working from home. Additionally, using low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) or water-based products and ensuring proper storage of household chemicals can help minimize ozone pollution.
While Phoenix faces challenges with ozone pollution, there have been improvements in air quality due to COVID-19 restrictions, which resulted in fewer people driving and staying at home. This temporary improvement highlights the potential for positive long-term changes if more people adopt cleaner fuels and remote work arrangements.
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Particle pollution is also a concern
While Phoenix's air quality is generally considered "good", particle pollution is also a concern. The city experiences a number of unhealthy ozone and PM2.5 days, with a weighted average of 46.5 days of poor air quality from 2016 to 2018. This has resulted in Phoenix failing to attain the desired standards for ozone and PM2.5 levels.
The American Lung Association's 2019 "State of the Air" report highlighted that Phoenix had experienced an increase in particle pollution. The report also emphasised that more than 40% of Americans are living with poor air quality, with Phoenix residents at particular risk. The report's director of advocacy, JoAnna Strother, stated that "Phoenix residents should be aware that we're breathing unhealthy air, placing our health and lives at risk."
Particle pollution is composed of tiny particles of soot that originate from coal-fired power plants, vehicle emissions, and other industrial sources. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues and other adverse health effects. People with existing heart or lung conditions, children, older adults, and those who are physically active outdoors are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of particle pollution.
To address particle pollution, Phoenix must focus on reducing emissions from transportation, as well as industrial sources. Encouraging the use of cleaner fuels, promoting remote work, and implementing stricter regulations on industrial manufacturing can help improve air quality and reduce particle pollution.
While there may be temporary improvements in air quality due to COVID-19 restrictions, long-term solutions are needed to ensure the health and safety of Phoenix residents. Lowering federal standards for ozone levels and taking proactive measures to reduce emissions can help Phoenix meet current standards and improve the overall air quality for its citizens.
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Warmer temperatures and climate change make ozone harder to control
Phoenix has experienced some of the warmest years on record in the past half-decade. This, combined with droughts and wildfires, has contributed to increased particle pollution. The city's air quality is generally better in the summer and worse in the winter, with May and June being the cleanest months and November and December the most polluted. The greatest challenge to Phoenix's air quality is ozone pollution, which is harder to control because it is formed in the atmosphere from other pollutants. Ozone is a gas pollutant formed when nitrogen oxides and organic substances react under sunlight.
Ozone depletion and climate change are linked in several ways, but ozone depletion is not a major cause of climate change. Atmospheric ozone has two effects on the Earth's temperature balance. Firstly, it absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation, heating the stratosphere. Secondly, it absorbs infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface, trapping heat in the troposphere. The climate impact of changing ozone concentrations varies with the altitude at which these changes occur. Major ozone losses in the lower stratosphere due to human-produced chlorine and bromine-containing gases have a cooling effect on the Earth's surface. Conversely, ozone increases in the troposphere due to surface-pollution gases have a warming effect, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
The effects of ozone changes are challenging to calculate accurately. While ozone depletion is not a significant contributor to climate change, many of the same gases that deplete ozone also contribute to climate change. Warmer temperatures and climate change can make ozone harder to control. Climate change will impact air quality and public health throughout the 21st century. According to modelling simulations by the EPA, full implementation of air pollution regulations could reduce ozone increases despite rising temperatures, thereby reducing potential deaths from exposure.
In Phoenix, the impact of climate change on ozone levels may vary depending on the specific emissions scenario. In one study, the largest ozone increase was projected for the central Great Plains and Midwest, with smaller increases or decreases in other regions. The analysis also showed that current air pollution control measures can lower ozone concentrations, even with rising temperatures. However, to meet current standards and strive for lower ozone levels, Phoenix must focus on reducing emissions from transportation, the city's greatest ozone contributor.
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Air pollution can cause adverse health effects
Phoenix has experienced some of the worst air quality in the United States, with the American Lung Association ranking Maricopa County, of which Phoenix is the county seat, 7th out of 228 metropolitan areas for high ozone days. From 2016 to 2018, there was an average of 46.5 days of unhealthy air in Phoenix, with 39.8 of those days deemed unhealthy due to ozone levels alone. While the city's air quality has improved in recent years, with an average AQI score of less than 50 ("good"), it still experiences unhealthy ozone and PM2.5 days.
Air pollution can cause a range of adverse health effects, especially in vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, and people with heart or lung disease, asthma, or bronchitis. Short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and contribute to serious health problems. It can also enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other non-communicable diseases.
Ozone, a major pollutant in Phoenix, is a gas formed when nitrogen oxides and organic substances react under sunlight. Exposure to ozone can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung diseases, and reduce the body's ability to fight infection. Symptoms of ozone exposure include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and upper respiratory issues.
Other health effects of air pollution include an increased risk of cancer, with studies linking air pollution exposure to lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal and prostate cancers. Air pollution has also been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight and pre-term birth, and may affect neurological development in children. Higher air pollution levels have been found to increase short-term respiratory infections in children, leading to more school absences, and children living in high-ozone communities are more likely to develop asthma.
While certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may help protect against some of the harmful effects of air pollution, it is crucial to reduce exposure to air pollutants and improve air quality to safeguard public health.
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Frequently asked questions
Phoenix's air quality on average is rated an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of less than 50, or "good". However, the city still experiences a number of unhealthy ozone and PM2.5 days. From 2016 to 2018, there was an average of 46.5 days of unhealthy air, resulting in Phoenix failing air pollution attainment for ozone and PM2.5.
The greatest challenge to Phoenix's air quality is ozone pollution. Ozone is a gas pollutant formed when nitrogen oxides and organic substances react under sunlight. Transportation is the greatest contributor to ozone pollution in Phoenix.
Exposure to ozone can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease, and reduce the body's ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and upper respiratory issues. Children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, and people with heart or lung disease are among those most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution.
