Highlights

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department recorded ozone at 82.0 parts per billion at the South Scottsdale monitoring station (AQS site ID 040133003) during the 6 p.m. hour Wednesday, Aug. 26, crossing AirNow's Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups breakpoint for ozone.

The same station recorded PM10 particulate matter at 45.0 micrograms per cubic meter during the same reporting hour.

Maricopa County's hot, sunny climate creates conditions that can increase the formation of ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant produced when emissions from vehicles and gasoline-powered equipment interact with sunlight, according to the county's air quality department. The county offers email and text alerts when a High Pollution Advisory is issued or when dust pollution levels rise at selected monitoring locations.

For current readings, forecasts, and any active advisories covering the Phoenix metro, visit AirNow's Phoenix-area page. Health guidance for sensitive groups should be sought from Maricopa County Air Quality.

Updated hourly readings for the South Scottsdale station will reflect whether ozone levels ease after sunset, when photochemical production typically slows.

Sources

Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.

  1. 040133003 retrieved 26/08/2026 19:22
  2. Maricopa County retrieved 26/08/2026 19:22

Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 26/08/2026 19:22. Every claim traces to a source.