PHOENIX — A hazy blanket hovered over the Valley on Wednesday, making it harder for some people to see and breathe.
Winds blew in smoke from a few large wildfires burning near Los Angeles, which led the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to categorize Wednesday's Ozone as moderate on the air quality index.
That's a ranking Dr. Frank LoVecchio said some physicians check regularly.
"Depending on what you see, you know it's going to be a busier day," LoVecchio said.
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LoVecchio is an emergency room physician at Valleywise health.
He said on days like this, the air is filled with little particulate matters. People can't see them up close, but they can make it harder for anyone to breathe, especially people with asthma or other health conditions.
"Almost like little pieces of dirt that kind of get caught up in your lungs, and if they get caught up in your lungs, it's less area for oxygen to go in and carbon dioxide to go out," LoVecchio said.
The smog may lead some people to experience upper respiratory symptoms.
"Runny nose, cough, you know, all of those things that are upper airway irritants," LoVecchio said.
Other people may feel no effects at all.
"Lots of times they don't notice it unless they exert themselves," LoVecchio said.
Poor air quality has long-term effects on health, too.
LoVecchio said studies show pollution leads to higher death rates and cancer.
"The easy thing to say is you know don't go outside but it's a little impractical to say that," LoVecchio said.
People with health conditions made worse by poor air quality are encouraged to wear and N95 mask if they have to be outside.
"Keep those times outside to a minimum," LoVecchio said. "Don't exert yourself when you're outside so you're breathing heavier and bringing more stuff in."
ADEQ forecasts stronger winds will move the smoke out of the Valley on Thursday and the ozone will return to good air quality index.
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