Thursday’s Air Quality Alert Issued by Pima County

The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) has issued a Dust Action Day for the Tucson metropolitan area due to increased particulate matter air pollution.

On the evening of July 10, a dust storm originating from northern Mexico reached the region and may persist for some time. Current projections suggest that both coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter levels will be in the moderate range today.

Individuals who are particularly sensitive to dust pollution include children, older adults, and those with heart or lung diseases. It is advised that these individuals limit exertion while outdoors to avoid respiratory irritation and the exacerbation of chronic conditions.

To help reduce dust pollution, residents are encouraged to:

• Eliminate the use of fireplaces and wood stoves
• Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
• Avoid using leaf blowers
• Refrain from using off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
• Drive no faster than 25 miles per hour on dirt roads

PDEQ’s Clean Air Program aims to educate Pima County residents about the health implications of elevated air pollution levels and encourages actions to mitigate pollution. The agency operates 16 air quality monitoring sites across the region, providing real-time pollution data on their website.

For continuous updates on Air Pollution Action Days and air quality forecasts, residents can sign up through the Pima County website and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.