Pima County Alerts Residents: Air Quality Advisory for Tuesday

The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) has declared a Dust Action Day for all areas of Pima County, attributing this alert to elevated levels of coarse particulate matter (PM10) driven by high winds and dry conditions.

Populations particularly vulnerable to dust pollution include children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. These sensitive groups are advised to minimize outdoor activities today, as inhaling fine particles can exacerbate existing health issues.

To combat dust pollution, residents are encouraged to implement several measures:

• Refrain from using fireplaces and wood stoves.
• Avoid burning leaves, trash, or other materials.
• Limit the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Cease the operation of leaf blowers.
• Steer clear of off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
• Maintain speeds below 25 miles per hour on dirt roads.

PDEQ’s Clean Air Program works to educate residents regarding the health impacts related to high air pollution levels while advocating for practices that can help mitigate these effects.

The department actively monitors air pollution across the region through 15 dedicated locations, providing real-time data accessible online. For those interested in receiving air quality forecasts from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, additional information is available at the AZDEQ website.