Pima County, Ariz. (Nov. 4, 2011) – The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Friday for particulate matter pollution, due to forecasted high winds.

Dry conditions and wind gusts forecasted at up to 50 miles per hour will likely cause high levels of airborne particulate matter later in the day.

Particulate matter readings from PDED monitoring sites were elevated late Friday morning and as wind speeds continue to increase throughout the day, the particulate levels will get higher. Particulate matter is tiny specks of soot, dust, and aerosols that are suspended in the air.

Individuals with heart disease and respiratory sensitivities may wish to reduce their exposure to outside air this afternoon and tonight. And, if you need to go outside, it is suggested you reduce your level of exertion to decrease the amount of particulates you breathe into your lungs.

The advisory will remain in effect as long as current weather conditions continue.

PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 18 different 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.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 4th, 2011 at 12:12 pm and is filed under air pollution, Environmental Quality, Health, Pima County, Southern Arizona, Tucson. Tags for this post: air pollution, air quality, asthma, heart disease, particulates, wind. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.