Smog and haze obscure the Phoenix skyline from Piestewa Peak on Dec. 21, 2005, the second-worst day of that year for particulate pollution in the area.

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EPA says Phoenix dust violates Clean Air Act EPA says Phoenix's air too dirty, state must act or feds will

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Air quality in the Phoenix area has deteriorated so much that the Environmental Protection Agency determined last week that unhealthy levels of dust violate clean-air standards.

Arizona must now come up with a plan to reduce the dust levels before the end of the year. This comes after the EPA monitored Phoenix-area air from 2004 to 2006 and found the levels of dust in the air were above the federal standard — and that Arizona missed a Dec. 31 deadline to comply with the regulation.

High amounts of dust and particulates in the air can cause respiratory problems and can damage lung tissue, according to an Associated Press story.

The biggest contributors to dust problems in the Phoenix area are roads, unpaved parking lots, construction sites, vacant lots, farm fields, road construction and dirt blown from construction sites — causes beyond just living in a dry desert climate.

Pima County does not have the same problem dust levels as Phoenix and so far has not violated the federal particulate standards. But the Tucson area must not take that for granted as it continues to grow.

There are signs that our air quality is worsening. For example, in the winter of 2005-06, Pima County had 74 days of "moderate" air quality for large particles, compared with 14 such days the winter before.

The Tucson area is in a relatively good position right now, in terms of dust pollution. It's better to take preventive action when necessary to keep our air clean instead of trying to clean up our act later.