Pima County, Ariz. - The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality is continuing the air quality advisory that was issued yesterday due to elevated levels of wind-generated particulate matter.
Individuals with heart disease and respiratory sensitivities may want to reduce their level of exertion to decrease the amount of particulates they breathe into their lungs, especially if they are near dust-prone locations. Those most at risk may feel better if they avoid outside exercise today, stay inside as much as possible, and keep windows and doors closed to help reduce exposure to particulate matter.
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, fires) or dust from disturbed land that becomes airborne with high winds.
PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 17 air quality monitoring sites. Up-to-the-hour air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website
www.airinfonow.org or by calling the PDEQ hotline at (520) 882-4AIR.
The public can
sign up to receive Air Quality Advisories and other Pima County Department of Environmental Quality notices directly via email.