ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona’s air quality has worsened the past couple of years, report says

Apr 30, 2022, 5:00 AM

Downtown Phoenix skyline...

View of the downtown Phoenix, Arizona city skyline as seen from South Mountain Park, August 28, 2018. (Photo by Robyn Beck/Getty Images)

(Photo by Robyn Beck/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Arizona’s air quality has worsened over the last couple of years, while it cut fewer unhealthy days for ozone pollution, according to a new report.

The Phoenix metropolitan area came in at fifth in the nation for unhealthy ozone days, relatively unchanged since the 2018-2020 reports, but still recorded 61.9 less high ozone days compared to 1996, according to an American Lung Association press release.

Maricopa, Gila, Pima and Pinal counties received an “F” grade in the State of the Air 2022 report for the number of high level ozone days. Yuma County received a “C,” an improvement from last year.

The capital of Arizona was unchanged at eighth in the nation for particle pollution year-round but still recorded 6.5 more days of unhealthy particle pollution in the year compared to 2000.

Maricopa, Santa Cruz and Pinal counties received “F” grades for the amount of recorded high particle pollution days.

“As a southwestern desert state with the sunniest cities in the country and increasing wildfires in the western U.S., Arizona, like our neighboring states, shares real air quality challenges when it comes to ozone and particle pollution,” Daniel Czecholinksi, ADEQ air quality division director, said in the release.

“While we’ve achieved significant improvements in overall air quality over the last 30 years from a 68 percent reduction in emissions — even as Arizona’s population has grown and our economy thrived — more wildfires in the western U.S. create and transport more ozone particle pollution into the state, which affects our air quality.”

Across the Valley, car emissions are the biggest contributor to man-made ozone.

Officials noted in the report that during the winter holiday season, a mix of fireplaces, burning wood in fire pits and fireworks can aid to the high levels of particulate matter pollution.

California cities Bakersfield, Fresno and Visalia were ranked in the top 3 for particle pollution year-round.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

scottsdale patrol vehicle parked behind caution tape...

KTAR.com

Scottsdale man forced to withdraw money from ATM after home invasion

A north Scottsdale man was robbed in a home invasion early Wednesday and forced to pull out money from an ATM.

18 minutes ago

Animal shelters in Arizona are seeing a growing number of Huskies enter the shelter system....

Colton Krolak

Here’s why Maricopa County is seeing a rise in Huskies in shelters

Animal shelters in Arizona are seeing a growing number of Huskies enter the shelter system making them among the most common breeds in shelters.

3 hours ago

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced approximately $240 million in awards for the e...

Kevin Stone

Research and development hub based at ASU gets nearly $40M in funding from CHIPS Act

A regional innovation hub based at Arizona State University was awarded nearly $40 million in federal funding to promote technological advances.

4 hours ago

Four schools in Arizona were recently recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023 by the U....

SuElen Rivera

4 Arizona schools named as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Four schools in Arizona were recently recognized as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. 

4 hours ago

bowls of different ice cream dishes at Tom's Incredible Ice Cream...

KTAR.com

Tom’s Incredible Ice Cream serving free scoops during Scottsdale grand opening Friday

Tom's Incredible Ice Cream is set to debut this Friday near Old Town at Scottsdale Road and Second Street.

4 hours ago

Bobby Holmes...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert issued for woman last seen in Phoenix

A silver alert has been issued for a woman last seen Tuesday near 35th Street and Pinochet Avenue in Phoenix. 

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

...

Ignite Digital

How to unlock the power of digital marketing for Phoenix businesses

All businesses around the Valley hopes to maximize their ROI with current customers and secure a greater market share in the digital sphere.

Sanderson Ford...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford congratulates D-backs’ on drive to great first half of 2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks just completed a red-hot first half of the major league season, and Sanderson Ford wants to send its congratulations to the ballclub.

Arizona’s air quality has worsened the past couple of years, report says