Pima County Department of Environmental Quality is issuing an air quality advisory due to elevated levels of particulates at several monitoring sites. The strong inversion overnight has trapped dust, smoke, and other pollutants in the air close to the ground. Hopefully, the inversion will break soon and lighter winds will allow for the pollution to dissipate this afternoon. The highest Air Quality Index (AQI) reading for small particles (particulate matter 2.5 microns or less) this morning was 85, which is considered in the moderate range for air pollution. When the AQI reaches 101, individuals who are sensitive to air pollution may experience health effects.
Particulate matter is made up of tiny specks of soot, dust, and aerosols that are suspended in the air we breathe. Particulate matter can come from either combustion (cars, industry, wildfires) or dust from disturbed land that becomes airborne with high winds. This time of year fireplace smoke becomes another source of particulates. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are considered sensitive and therefore at greater risk when air pollution levels are above 100 on the AQI.
Real-time air pollution levels are available at PDEQ’s air monitoring
webpages as is the way to sign up to receive
air quality advisories from PDEQ.