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

Friday, April 30, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Click here for PDF): 

 
Wildfire smoke, environmental justice and more will be highlighted by Clark County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) during Air Quality Awareness Week, which begins Monday, May 3. This year’s Air Quality Awareness Week theme is Healthy Air – Important for Everyone. DES will join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and air pollution control agencies across the nation to raise awareness about the crucial role of air quality in the health of people and the planet.

Throughout the week, DES will highlight the following topics on its social media channels:

• Monday, May 3 – Wildfires and Smoke
• Tuesday, May 4 – Asthma and Your Health
• Wednesday, May 5 – Citizen Science and Sensors
• Thursday, May 6 – Environmental Justice and Air Quality
• Friday, May 7 –Air Quality Around the World

“Clark County’s air quality is impacted by several unique factors: our geography, topography and climate. We sit to the east of southern California and we’re surrounded by mountains. Add to that our hot, summer days and you have a perfect oven for trapping pollutants,” said DES Assistant Director Jodi Bechtel. “Air Quality Awareness Week is an opportunity to showcase those unique challenges and how our Division of Air Quality works every day to monitor and regulate the permitted business community so our air is clean and healthy.”

Bechtel also points out people can help protect the air we share by reducing unnecessary idling in vehicles, utilizing public transportation and minimizing use of gas-powered landscaping equipment.

Follow DES on social media for Air Quality Awareness Week updates:

• Twitter: @SustainClarkCty
• Facebook: Sustain Clark County

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.

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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 2.4 million citizens and 45.6 million visitors a year (2019). Included are the nation’s 9th-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 1.1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.