Warning to millions as toxic air spreads across multiple US states

"Millions of Americans are under air quality alerts as strong winds whip up dangerous levels of dust and particle pollution, prompting health warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) said harmful levels of windblown dust are expected to linger through 11pm local time on Wednesday, affecting large swaths of California's Inland Empire, Orange County, Los Angeles County coastal areas, and parts of Arizona."

"Officials warned that particle pollution, known as PM-10, can penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms and increasing the risk of lung infections. The alerts cover densely populated cities, including Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Corona, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Long Beach, Santa Monica, and Torrance, among others. Health officials said everyone may experience symptoms as air quality worsens, but children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or lung disease face the greatest risk."

"In Arizona, the Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued a high pollution advisory for the Tucson metro area, citing strong and gusty winds expected to generate widespread blowing dust. Residents are being advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed, and use air conditioners or air purifiers, while avoiding fans or coolers that pull in outside air. Authorities also warned that conditions may change rapidly depending on wind speeds and local weather patterns."

Strong winds have lifted loose dust and soil, producing dangerous concentrations of fine and coarse particles (PM-10) across large areas of Southern California and parts of Arizona. National Weather Service, South Coast AQMD, and ADEQ issued air quality alerts and advisories for coastal Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange County, Tucson metro, and other populated cities. PM-10 particles can penetrate deep into lungs, triggering asthma attacks, exacerbating heart and lung disease, and increasing risk of lung infections. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions face greatest risk. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, and use air conditioning or air purifiers.

Read at Mail Online