Air Pollution Animations for Arizona

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Arizona's most populated counties face a complex problem: How to reduce air pollution while the population and economy rapidly grow?

To help empower residents of Phoenix and Tucson with information about how air pollution impacts public health, the communications team at Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) collaborated with Dr. Matthew Pace, ADEQ Air Quality Division, through 2019 to produce a collection of animated videos to inform and empower the public to reduce key air pollutants:

• Ozone

• Dust

• Smoke

The videos use motion graphics to address these pollutants which pose the greatest risks to public health in the air of the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas and other Arizona cities and towns. They also promote the idea that when millions of us work together toward a common goal, we can make a difference.

Ozone

Ground-level ozone is a unique pollutant that is the result of various sources and chemical reactions. Plants even contribute to ground-level ozone. But the simple matter is: vehicles are the primary contributor, and the fewer miles we drive,
the cleaner the air.

Dust

Arizona is a desert state and dust is a problem for us. Dust in the air is dangerous for driving visibility, and it also contributes to and exacerbates respiratory issues when breathed. We can't keep all the dust out of the air, but certain simple changes in our choices can help improve life for everyone, especially those with asthma.

Smoke

Smoke is an environmental justice issue in Arizona. The Phoenix metropolitan area is bowl-shaped, so smoke from wood-burning fires across the valley tends to collect at the lowest point, where our most socio-economically vulnerable populations are located. These pollution levels tend to be at their worst during winter holidays (especially New Years), so residents and visitors are encouraged to make choices to "give the gift of clean air."