Pediatrician's word on Phoenix area/childrens' asthma

[bluebelt1234]

Originally Posted by fabumom07

I posted a few weeks ago as a mom considering how a relocation to the Phoenix/Gilbert area would affect the asthma and allergy issues of two of my four children. I was offered lots of opinions and did some more research. My conclusion? Six of one/ half dozen of another. That's a midwestern term ya'll.
In my research I discovered that the air quality where I live ( Ft Wayne,IN) received a grade of F. Sorry I can't cite the source, I viewed many government websites. Phoenix also got a grade of F, but the airborne particle count was double that in my area. I had assumed that farm chemicals and pollen/ragweed etc. as well as the weather were the culprit, but perhaps I had overlooked pollution in my area. After all, this isn't Gary or Indy. The air here seemed fresh and clean.
I visited last weekend while my husband was there (in Scottsdale)for work . I was the confused lady in the rental car driving up and down Scottsdale Rd when a sinus headache eliminated all ability to distinguish one adobe /tile roofed resort/ hotel from another. Still, I fell in love with many things about the area.Today, I took my son in for a recheck for his wheezing with his pediatrician ,whose opinion I value.I ventured to ask his opinion on a possible relocation to Arizona. My son's doctor asked what part of Arizona, and was familiar with the valley area of Phoenix/Scottsdale .He responded as many of you did that, years ago, the area improved conditions for many sufferers, but that pollution had negated many of these affects. He said that we may see an initial improvement but that new allergies could develop. I suspect my sinuses would take some time to adjust, thank goodness for Flonase.
In the end I have concluded as my doctor did that the final result on health would be difficult to predict, and therefore not the over-riding factor . It would be great to consider Prescott or Flagstaff, where the air is better, but my husband needs good work opportunity in the computer software field to support his family. Next step is to visit in July or August and see how long it takes for mommy to pass out from the heat. I've literally been shivering since December half the time , but it's hard to ignore all the posts that compare Phoenix to Hades and I wonder how much it would cost to air condition a 3000 sq foot house if we are lucky enough to afford one. By the way, I mentioned seasonal affect disorder (basically the blues from lack of sunlight) in my last post. Has anyone seen the effects of four months of excessive heat on mood or sanity ? Some of the posts worry me , but at least you can drive a few horurs away for relief. Here you have to get on a plane and go far to feel the sun again.

Wondering if you moved yet? If not, be careful what you wish for. My asthma and allergies got A LOT worse when moving from Indiana to Arizona. I do live in Yuma though. My asthma does a little better in other Arizona cities. The air is horrible down here because of all the farming and being close to the border.

[wng]

Phoenix's air pollution is a problem of geography. As mentioned it's a city in a valley surrounded by mountain ranges. Plus, the city is 1000-1100' above sea level. Smog rises only to a certain boundary layer due to density, air pressure, cloud cover.
So, the inhabitants are basically living 1000' closer to that smog. Add in the low humidity induced dust conditions (kicked up by construction), chemical and fertilizer outgassing and evaporation, Skyharbor being centralized in the metro area, you have a nasty condition for respiratory problems.
The lack of rain is also an issue, not just for water supplies, but being unable to precipitate the particulates from the air regularly.
I live in the East Valley near Apache Junction, and was told the East Valley gets more rain than the West side. I haven't verified this. But I do experience strong winds from the Superstition range due East. But this may because it's the season.
I have not experienced any poor air quality so far, other than detecting the smell of fertilizer/dung coming from Queen Creek vicinity for several days. Must have been turning the soil.