With the onset of warm to hot weather residents will see the frequent summertime notices that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is issuing a pollution watch or advisory for ozone pollution.

Those spending their first summer in the Valley might not be too familiar with ozone as a pollutant. Maricopa County air quality officials explain it this way: “ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds [VOCs] to form.”

The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal “ozone season.”

“High Pollution Advisory” or “HPA” means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Maricopa County employers enlisted in the Travel Reduction Program are asked to activate their HPA plans on high pollution advisory days.

“Health Watch” means the highest concentration of pollution may approach the federal health standard. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion during a health watch.

Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Also, open burning activity is restricted in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.

It is also advised that people drive as little as possible: car pool, use public transit or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro: www.ShareTheRide.com

Reduce the time waiting in long drive-thru lines - for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks. Park the car and go inside.

Other tips on what citizens can do to reduce ozone contaminants include:

*Fuel vehicles after dark or during cooler evening hours.

*Avoid using leaf blowers.

*Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.

*Delay big painting projects until high-pollution advisories or health watches have passed.

*Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.

*Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimineas and outdoor fire pits.

*Conserve electricity.

Additional information on how to reduce air pollution can be found at CleanAirMakeMore.com.