Air Quality In Chandler, Arizona: Is It Safe To Breathe?

The air quality in Chandler, Arizona, is a pressing issue for residents, with the city experiencing high levels of pollution that can be harmful to human health and the environment. People vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults who exercise outdoors, and those with pre-existing health conditions such as heart or lung disease, asthma, and bronchitis. Ozone, a pollutant found in the valley's summertime air, can cause respiratory issues, irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and reduce immune system defences, leading to bronchitis and pneumonia. The city's air quality is affected by various factors, including industrial sites, farmland, and traffic, with some residents noticing an increase in sinus congestion and attributing it to poor air quality. To combat this, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issues pollution alerts, and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department regulates and monitors major polluters. The city of Chandler also encourages residents to take action by providing a list of 12 things to do to fight particulate matter pollution, such as driving less and maintaining their landscapes.

Particulate matter and its health effects

Particulate matter, or particle pollution, refers to a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air. These particles are often so small that they are invisible, but when present in high levels, they cause the air to become hazy and thick. Particulate matter is one of six widespread air pollutants with national air quality standards to limit their levels in the outdoor air.

The size of particles is directly linked to the health problems they pose. Smaller particles are more harmful as they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even enter your bloodstream. Fine particles, or PM2.5, are 2.5 microns or less in width. The largest PM2.5 particles are about 30 times smaller than a human hair, and several thousand of them could fit on the period at the end of this sentence. Ultrafine particles are smaller than 0.1 microns in diameter and can pass through the lung tissue into the bloodstream. Coarse particles, or PM10-2.5, are between 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter.

The health effects of particulate matter are significant and wide-ranging. Exposure to PM2.5 can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and shortness of breath. It can also affect heart and lung function, worsening conditions like heart disease, asthma, and bronchitis, and increasing the risk of heart attacks. Long-term exposure to fine particles has been linked to increased mortality from heart disease and increased rates of chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and lung cancer. Particle pollution is also associated with higher hospital admissions and emergency department visits.

Certain vulnerable subpopulations are at higher risk from particulate matter exposure, including people with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults, people of color, and low socioeconomic status populations. These individuals may experience more severe health effects or have higher exposures. People in these sensitive groups should limit their time spent outdoors when air pollution levels are high and take precautions such as wearing masks and adjusting schedules to reduce exposure.

While the air quality in Chandler, Arizona, is generally acceptable for most individuals, sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure. It is important for the community to take action and commit to reducing particulate matter to improve air quality and protect the health of vulnerable populations.

How to improve air quality

The City of Chandler, Arizona, encourages its citizens to take action and make commitments to make the air cleaner. While the air quality in Chandler is generally acceptable for most individuals, sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure. Here are some ways to improve air quality:

Maintain your surroundings

Cover loose dirt with vegetation or gravel. This will prevent dust and dirt from being picked up by the wind and blown into the air.

Reduce fireplace and wood stove use

Avoid using a wood-burning fireplace or stove on no-burn days. If you do use a wood-burning stove or fireplace, ensure it meets EPA design specifications and only burn dry, seasoned wood. Consider switching to gas instead of wood, as this reduces the amount of smoke released into the air.

Conserve electricity

Turn off appliances and lights when not in use to reduce energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint.

Avoid burning leaves, trash, or other materials

Burning trash releases dangerous pollutants and toxic emissions that are harmful to human health and the environment. These pollutants can cause eye and lung irritation, headaches, dizziness, coughing, wheezing, and even trigger asthma.

Improve indoor air quality

Keep your indoor air clean by learning about common sources of pollution and avoiding adding pollutants. Test for radon, a natural radioactive gas that can seep through cracks in the earth and build up in your home. If high levels of radon are detected, seal the foundation of your home to prevent the gas from entering your living space. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove harmful particles from the air.

Drive less and reduce vehicle emissions

Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation whenever possible. When purchasing a new vehicle, choose one that offers better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Keep your vehicle well-maintained, especially the emissions control systems, to ensure it runs cleanly and efficiently.

Ozone pollution and its health effects

Ozone is a gas molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. While ozone in the upper atmosphere forms a protective layer that shields us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant that can trigger a variety of health problems. Ground-level ozone is formed when gases from pollution sources such as cars, power plants, and factories react with sunlight.

Ground-level ozone is a dangerous and widespread pollutant, and even relatively low levels can have adverse health effects. People with asthma, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors are particularly vulnerable to the effects of breathing ozone. Ozone can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and irritation and damage to airways. It can also worsen asthma and bronchitis symptoms and impair the body's immune system, leading to respiratory problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Studies have also shown that long-term exposure to ozone pollution can increase the risk of premature death.

Children are at an increased risk from ozone exposure because their lungs are still developing, and they tend to be more active outdoors when ozone levels are typically higher during the summer months. Children are also more likely to have asthma, and ozone can cause the muscles in their airways to constrict, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath.

In Chandler, Arizona, maintaining good air quality is a community effort. The city provides guidelines to help residents reduce their impact on air quality, such as driving less, especially on pollution advisory days, and maintaining their landscapes by covering loose dirt with vegetation or gravel. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) also plays a crucial role in air quality management by issuing alerts before high pollution days, allowing residents to take necessary precautions.

Sources of air pollution in Chandler

The air quality in Chandler, Arizona, is generally good, but there are occasional high pollution days that can be harmful to sensitive groups. The main sources of air pollution in Chandler are particulate matter, ozone, and wildfire smoke.

Particulate matter, particularly PM-10, is a significant contributor to air pollution in Chandler. These particles are 10 microns or less in size and can remain suspended in the denser morning air, causing respiratory issues, especially in children and the elderly. To combat this, the city encourages residents to drive less, especially on pollution advisory days.

Ozone is another pollutant that is common during the hot summertime weather in Chandler. Inhaling ozone, even in low doses, can cause respiratory problems, aggravate asthma, and significantly decrease lung capacity. It also has detrimental effects on vegetation, making plants more susceptible to disease and pests. The Governor's Ozone Alert Program runs from May 1 to September 30, during which residents are advised to use trip reduction measures.

Wildfires in Arizona and other nearby states can also impact the air quality in Chandler. The ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) issues alerts before noon on high pollution days, and residents are advised to limit their time spent outdoors if they experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation.

To improve air quality, the City of Chandler recommends maintaining landscapes by covering loose dirt with vegetation or gravel, reducing fireplace and wood stove use, conserving electricity, and supporting laws and efforts to improve air quality.

Air quality alerts and advisories

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issues air quality alerts and advisories for Chandler, Arizona. The ADEQ announces alerts before noon on the day preceding a high pollution alert. These alerts are posted in offices and broadcast on popular radio stations.

High pollution advisories are issued when weather conditions are expected to cause poor air quality. For example, light winds, increased stagnation, and sunshine can all contribute to higher pollution levels.

During high pollution periods, sensitive groups may experience negative health effects, such as respiratory problems, aggravation of asthma, and a decrease in lung capacity. Children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, people with heart or lung disease, and those with asthma or bronchitis are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution.

To reduce exposure during high pollution periods, it is recommended to limit outdoor activities and reduce time spent outside. Driving less, carpooling, using public transportation, and telecommuting can also help lower pollution levels.

In addition to following advisories, individuals can take proactive measures to improve air quality. This includes maintaining landscapes by covering loose dirt with vegetation or gravel, reducing fireplace and wood stove use, and conserving electricity. By working together, the community can make a positive impact on the air quality in Chandler, Arizona.

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