Pima County Dept. Of Environmental Quality Issues Advisory For Thurs.

TUCSON, AZ —The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) issued an advisory for ground-level ozone pollution for the Tucson metropolitan area on Thursday.

The PDEQ said particulate matter levels also are expected to be elevated due to the Contreras Fire southwest of the city.

The agency warns that people who are especially sensitive to air pollution may experience shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, wheezing and breathing discomfort.

In fact, it is suggested that those who are especially sensitive to ozone may want to limit their level of exertion outside between noon and 6 p.m. on Thursday, when elevated levels of ozone pollution are more likely to occur.

This group includes: children, adults who are active outdoors, people with respiratory diseases and people who have an unusual sensitivity to this particular pollutant.

"Intense physical outdoor activity causes faster and deeper breathing, which allows ozone to penetrate into the parts of the lungs that are more likely to be injured," the PDEQ said in a statement.

Anybody who is experiencing symptoms should seek medical help, the PDEQ said.

According to the PDEQ, there are many types of emissions that contribute to the creation of ground-level ozone, including: motor vehicle exhaust, industrial and power plant emissions, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents, as well as natural sources.

These sources emit oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds that form ozone in the presence of intense sunlight and heat.

More details about the advisory and about actions you can take to reduce the production of ground-level ozone are available on the PDEQ website.