Dust pollution advisory issued for today

A PM-10 dust pollution advisory has been issued for the Yuma area today by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Strong winds are expected late this morning through the evening hours to gust into the 20-30 mph range. Currents will start out coming from the south before shifting to the west in the afternoon and then northwest by the evening hours.

ADEQ recommends that the general public limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

People with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children are most likely to be affected by particle pollution. PM-10 particles can travel into the respiratory tract where they can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. Exposure to these particles can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

Drivers should also be cautious, as blowing dust can reduce visibility rapidly. Residents are also being asked to help reduce dust levels by keeping driving to a minimum and avoid riding offroad vehicles and other activities that stir up particle matter.

Saturday into Sunday, winds will decrease, allowing for dust pollution to drop well below the maximum federal standard; however, conditions are expected to boost the production of another air pollutant, ozone.

ADEQ had issued a pollution advisory for the Yuma area on Monday and Tuesday for ozone, which is created when heat and sunlight interact with gases present in the atmosphere.