As the lingering days of spring and summer approach, county officials are enlisting residents in an effort to combat the rise of harmful pollutants, particularly ozone — which can be especially harmful to those with respiratory conditions.
Maria Bonilla, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, explained the correlation between ozone and the region’s warmer months.
“We launch this campaign annually at this time of year because of the characteristics of the Valley of the Sun, where in the spring and summer we have very long days with a lot of sun,” Ms. Bonilla said. “Pollutants emitted by cars and industry react with the sun to increase ozone in our local air.”
