The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is issuing a Dust Action Day for coarse Particulate Matter (PM10) air pollution today for the Tucson metropolitan area due to high winds last night.
Those who are most likely to be sensitive to dust pollution include children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases. Sensitive individuals should reduce their level of exertion when outside today. Breathing small particles can irritate the respiratory system and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.
Actions to reduce dust pollution:
PDEQ’s Clean Air Program educates Pima County residents about the potential health effects associated with elevated levels of air pollution and promotes actions to reduce air pollution.
PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 16 air quality monitoring sites. Real-time air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website.
To receive Air Pollution Action Day advisories, sign up here.
To receive Arizona Department of Environmental Quality air quality forecasts, sign up here.