LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Clark County officials issued an air quality dust advisory for Thursday, Aug. 20, as morning thunderstorms in Arizona pushed thick plumes of dust into Southern Nevada.
The Clark County Department of Environment & Sustainability’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) warned that airborne dust is a form of inhalable particulate matter (PM) pollution that can severely aggravate respiratory illnesses.
Under these conditions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises children, older adults, and individuals with heart or lung diseases to stay indoors as much as possible and limit physical exertion.
An Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 101 or higher is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
County officials provided the following safety tips to limit dust exposure:
- Keep all indoor and vehicle windows and doors closed.
- Run air conditioning units to filter out airborne particulates.
- Avoid taking shortcuts across vacant dirt lots.
- Drive slowly on unpaved roads to prevent kicking up additional dust.
- Report excessive blowing dust from construction sites or facilities to the county dust hotline at 702-385-DUST (3878).
Residents can monitor live updates and daily forecasts by visiting the county’s monitoring website.
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