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Air quality alert issued for region
Air Quality

The Valley Air District has issued a health cautionary statement for San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the valley portion of Kern counties from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning due to blowing dust caused by windy conditions.

A low pressure system is moving into the region today with strong to gusty winds. The windy conditions will cause localized blowing dust in areas where soils are exceptionally dry, and create unhealthy concentrations of particulate matter 10 microns and smaller (PM10). Exposure to particulate pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections.

Where conditions warrant, people with heart or lung disease should follow their doctors’ advice for dealing with episodes of particulate exposure. Additionally, older adults and children should avoid prolonged exposure or heavy exertion, depending on their local conditions.

Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis and increase risk of respiratory infections. In people with heart disease, short-term exposure to particle pollution has been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Children and elderly people are also more susceptible to consequences of high particulate levels. Stay indoors if possible. Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities to reduce the effects of unhealthy air.