Environmental Quality Newsroom

Oct 19, 2020 - After cutting back on services due to the COVID-19, the Cut Down Pollution program is now functioning at full capacity to bring healthier air to our region. Residents in Pima County can trade gas-powered landscaping equipment for up to $400 worth of vouchers towards the purchase of zero emission electric-powered equipment (corded or battery) and in some cases, manual landscaping tools. 

Oct 12, 2020 - he Pima County Board of Supervisors (PC-BOS) as the governing body for the Pima County Air Quality Control District adopts rules for Pima County Code (PCC). The Pima County Air Quality Control District operates within the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ). PDEQ periodically proposes updates to PCC by and through the rulemaking process set forth by the PC-BOS. This rulemaking is proposed to simplify the fee schedule for residential, construction, and agriculture open burn permits, and to clarify terms of residential, construction, and agricultural burn permits. These updates include changes to PCC Sections 17.14.080 and 17.14.090. 

Oct 09, 2020 - Smoke from two wildfires south and west of Tucson is causing hazy skies and an increase in airborne particles. 

Oct 06, 2020 - Cooler temperatures have finally arrived, after an extended summer of record breaking heat! The long-awaited dip in temperatures this weekend will cause a drop in our tires’ air pressure. PDEQ recommends checking your vehicle’s tire pressure when temperatures get chilly. 

Oct 01, 2020 - The last day of September officially marked the end of the ground-level ozone season in Pima County. The 2020 ozone season had numerous exceedances of the EPA health standard along with days of hazy skies burdened with wildfire smoke generated both near and far away.  

Sep 11, 2020 - The Pima County Board of Supervisors (PC-BOS) as the governing body for the Pima County Air Quality Control District adopts rules for Pima County Code (PCC). The Pima County Air Quality Control District operates within the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ). PDEQ periodically proposes updates to PCC by and through the rulemaking process set forth by the PC-BOS. This rulemaking is proposed to simplify the fee schedule for residential, construction, and agriculture open burn permits, and to clarify terms of residential, construction, and agricultural burn permits. These updates include changes to PCC Sections 17.14.080 and 17.14.090. 

Sep 08, 2020 - A change in the weather is, again, allowing smoke from multiple wildfires in California to come into the Tucson area. So far, the smoke is high enough in the air to avoid being recorded at Pima County Department of Environmental Quality’s (PDEQ) monitoring locations, but if forecasted winds increase, that could change.  

Sep 04, 2020 - Is a road trip or BBQ in the plans over the Labor Day weekend? Save money and reduce air pollution and waste while you enjoy the holiday with theses tips.  

Sep 04, 2020 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) request to redesignate the Ajo planning area in Pima County to attainment of the EPA health standard for particulate matter of 10 microns or less (PM10) in size. EPA’s redesignation of the Ajo planning area became effective September 3, 2020. 

Sep 01, 2020 - The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality’s (PDEQ) Clean Air Program launched the #ThisIsCleanAir Photo Challenge Sept. 1 to encourage individuals to share ordinary (and extraordinary) actions they can take to improve air quality in our community. The deadline to submit family-friendly photographs is Sept. 30.