Teacher Resources
Pima County Environmental Quality provides FREE, customized classroom and youth group presentations to assist educators in teaching their students about the environment. Topics include air quality, pollution prevention, climate change, and stormwater and general eco issues.
There are plenty of reasons why it would be great to study air quality in the classroom and use resources for real-time air quality activity research projects.
View this short video about PDEQ resources and info that can be incorporated into the classroom and help protect the health of students, staff and their families.
Meet Arizona State Science and Health Standards
PDEQ education programs help meet at least the following standards as primary objectives, and may help meet additional standards in other areas such as language arts and social studies.
- Science Strand 1 Concept 1: Observations, Questions, and Hypotheses
- Science Strand 1 Concept 3: Analysis and Conclusions
- Science Strand 3 Concept 1: Changes in Environments
- Science Strand 6 Concept 3 (K-4): Changes in the Earth and Sky
- Comprehensive Health Standard
We Can Tailor Presentations to Meet Classroom Goals
- Classroom/youth group demonstrations/presentations for all grades
- Curricula packets for grades 1-12 in English
- Lesson Plan: Air Quality Presentation for Youth (Grades K-3)
- Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan: Airborne Dust Control Presentation for Youth (Grades 4-8)
- Lesson Plan: Air Quality Presentation for Youth (Grades 9-12)
- Curricula packets for grades 1-8 in Spanish
- Informational brochures
- Clean Air Activity Trunk and Video for K-3 (for loan)
- Air Care 101 Video for middle-school (for loan)
- Save Planet Polluto CD-ROM for all ages (for loan)
- AirInfoNow activities
- Airville - a Flash activity to show how we HELP and HURT our air.
Resource Flyers
PDEQ Environmental Education Resources
School Pocket Park: engage parents while reducing idling at school
Drive Less Pledge for teachers, staff and parents
Healthy Air Pledge printable form for students, 2-up
Is Air Healthy to Breathe?
Is it Smoky Outside?
Airville in color
Benefits of Biking
Activity Worksheets
Airville color page
Bike vs. car: time and air pollution calculations
Desert Dwellers Know activity sheets: letter size and menu size
Facts & Fun for Kids About Air
Finish the Sentence air focus
How Green Can You Go?
Littering is unlAWFUL: K-2 and grades 3-6
Little Green Riding Hood
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice is defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is committed to this same goal for all communities within Pima County. Environmental Justice will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and has equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work. 
EPA Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice in Pima County
An Environmental Justice Study was performed by Ms. Barbara Tellman as part of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. This study examines the impacts to minority and low income individuals in Pima County of past governmental decision making in the areas of air quality, transportation, water quality, water supply, land use, housing, fiscal decision making, and matters of cultural sensitivity. Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, PDEQ, has established a grievance procedure to ensure prompt and fair resolution of complaints alleging violations in the administration of PDEQ's programs and activities.
- AQ-201 Environmental Justice Grievance Procedure
For more information, contact Pima County Department of Environmental Quality Environmental Justice Coordinator, Natalie Shepp, natalie.shepp@pima.gov, 520-724-6885
Public Records Request
Requests for information to PDEQ generally fall into two categories: general information requests and public records requests. A general information request may include information about the environment, copies of forms, procedures, pamphlets, or other printed information designed for public distribution. General information requests and payment for completed requests can be made by calling PDEQ at (520) 724-7400. A public records request includes, but is not limited to, documents and electronic files prepared, owned, used, or retained by PDEQ in the course of conducting its work. Request forms and more information are available through our Public Records Request Frequently Asked Questions under "How can I request a PDEQ public record?"
PDEQ maintains records regarding the day-to-day operations for the Environmental Quality Division including the Air, Water and Waste Programs and will provide records that are maintained in the format preferred by the requester. PDEQ records may be paper files, database information, PDF files, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, engineering plans, microfiche or other format. PDEQ is not required to create a record that is not maintained in the normal course of doing business (i.e. manipulate data to meet a specific public record request) nor is it required to obtain new data, perform research or create new report formats.
PDEQ is a predominantly paperless department that utilizes multiple internal databases to house records. PDEQ files and databases provide the most historically accurate and extensive property search results when using a street address. PDEQ is able to provide property records utilizing a parcel number or township/range/section criteria, however, the record information provided will be limited to the particular search criteria provided.
Under Arizona State law, the public can request in writing to examine or copy public records. Arizona's public records law should not be confused with the federal Freedom of Information Act, which applies to records held by federal agencies. Pima County does not have a central repository for all its records. Each department and division within Pima County houses its own records (A.R.S. Public Records Reproduction - A.R.S. § 39-121).
Find answers to most Frequently Asked Questions concerning public records requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the Air
What can I do if I think there is mold in my home or business?
What can I do if I think there is mold in my home or business?
Pima County Department of Environmental Quality does not have the authority to investigate or address mold concerns inside residences or businesses in Pima County. It is the property owner’s responsibility to determine if mold is present and if so, to properly remediate it. There are many mold remediation businesses you can hire to determine if mold is present in your home and to clean up the mold, if you are unable to do it yourself.
In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has information and resources on their
website that might be helpful, including ways to prevent and control mold, guidelines for cleaning up mold, and general information on mold and other indoor air quality topics.
What agency does the air quality monitoring in this region?
Pima County DEQ. Call (520) 724-7446 for more information
How do I know what the current air quality is?
Visit
Air Quality Information or call (520) 724-7400 during regular business hours.
How can I be notified when the air quality is unhealthy?
Call Pima County DEQ at (520) 724-7446 or sign up for email alerts at:
Register for Air Quality AdvisoriesWhere can I get information about air pollution and Tucson’s air quality?
Call Pima County DEQ at (520) 724-7446
Where can I find more information about contrails?
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, and the Federal Aviation Administration to develop an
Aircraft Contrails Factsheet and the
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality also provides information on the formation of contrails.
Questions about Alternative Transportation
Where can I find information about public transit?
Sun Tran: (520) 792-9222
www.suntran.com
Where can I find information about bike riding?
Pima County Department of Transportation:
(520) 243-BIKE or (520) 243-2453
http://bikeped.pima.gov/Where can I get information about carpooling or vanpooling?
Pima Association of Governments Sun Rideshare: (520) 792-1093,
www.884ride.orgWhere can I get information on the car-free, multi-use pathway called The Loop?
Questions about PDEQ's educational resources
Who can I talk with about scheduling an environmental presentation for my class or community group / neighborhood association?
Pima County DEQ, (520) 724-7446
How can I get help with a report on the environment / air quality for my class?
Pima County DEQ: (520) 724-7446
How can I get brochures related to air quality or protecting the environment for my students, business, and neighbors?
Pima County DEQ: (520) 724-7446
Questions about Requesting Records or Filing Complaints
How do I make a public records request for information from Pima County Department of Environmental Quality?
Pima County DEQ, (520) 724-7400
Public Records Request - FAQsHow do I submit a complaint about: buffelgrass, manure, dust, someone burning garbage, my neighbor’s messy yard, or other environmental concerns?