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Air Quality Dust Advisory Issued for Monday

Air Quality Dust Advisory Issued for Monday

Media Contact:
Kevin J MacDonald, Public Information Administrator
702-232-0931 (mobile)
kevmac@ClarkCountyNV.gov

Monday, Oct. 18, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Click here for PDF): 

Air Quality Dust Advisory Issued for Monday

AQ Twitter_advise-dustThe Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability has issued a dust advisory for Monday, Oct. 18, to advise residents and local construction sites of the possibility of elevated levels of blowing dust due to the forecast of high winds in our area. Wind speeds of 30 mph—including 40 mph gusts—are expected to begin around noon today, potentially causing blowing dust.

Airborne dust is a form of inhalable air pollution called particulate matter or PM, which aggravates respiratory diseases. Under windy conditions people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children may feel better staying indoors as much as possible because they could be at greater risk from particulates, especially when they are physically active, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult your physician if you have a medical condition that makes you sensitive to air pollution.

The EPA’s Air Quality Index translates air quality data into colors to help people understand when they may experience health effects from air pollution. An AQI of 101 or more is considered a level that may be unhealthy for sensitive groups of people. Tips to limit exposure to dust include:

  • Limit outdoor exertion on windy days when dust is in the air. Exercise, for example, makes you breathe heavier and increases the amount of particulates you are likely to inhale.
  • Keep windows and doors
  • Run your air conditioner inside your house and car to filter out
  • Consider changing your indoor air filters if they are dirty.
  • To keep dust down, drive slowly on unpaved roads.
  • Don’t take short cuts across vacant lots.
  • Ride off-road vehicles in approved areas outside the urban Las Vegas Valley.
  • Call Environment and Sustainability’s dust complaint hotline at 702-385-DUST (3878) to report excessive amounts of blowing dust from construction sites, vacant lots or facilities.

STAY UP TO DATE WITH AIR QUALITY INFORMATION

The Department of Environment and Sustainability monitors air pollution through a network of monitoring sites throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Data is collected from these sites and reported at our monitoring website: AirQuality.ClarkCountyNV.gov. People can stay informed through a couple channels:

  • Twitter and Facebook: Read air quality updates in your Facebook news feed or tweets. On Facebook: facebook.com/SustainClarkCounty and Twitter: @SustainClarkCty.
  • EnviroFlash: Receive daily text or email messages with the latest air quality information. Learn more at enviroflash.org. The Dept. of Environment and Sustainability also issues advisories and alerts for ozone and other pollutants such as dust, smoke and other particulate matters.
  • AIRNow: Check air quality forecasts, current conditions and the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Clark County at AIRNow’s website.

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About the Department of Environment and Sustainability
The Department of Environment and Sustainability is the air pollution control agency, regional Endangered Species Act compliance program, and sustainability office for all of Clark County, Nevada. Established as the Department of Air Quality by the Clark County Commission in 2001, it was renamed in 2020 and is comprised of three divisions: Air Quality, Desert Conservation Program and Office of Sustainability. Through these three divisions, DES is ensuring the air we share meets healthful, regulatory standards, administering the County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and addressing climate change through the All-In Clark County initiative.

Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.3 million citizens and 45.6 million visitors a year (2019). Included are the nation’s 7th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.

 

 

 

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