Residents warned of dangers of dust

Wednesday, March 19, 2003 | 8:52 a.m.

Dust tips

Here are some ways to help reduce dust:

There's more to Southern Nevada's springtime than warmer temperatures and longer days.

That extra something is dust, and it prompted Clark County officials to issue an air quality watch Tuesday, advising construction operators to control dust clouds on working sites.

"Our windy season usually starts in March and lasts through May, but dust storms can happen any time of year, depending on weather conditions," said Christine Robinson, director of Clark County's Air Quality Division.

Air quality officials issue health advisories for blowing dust when peak wind gusts exceed 40 mph and average hourly wind speeds are greater than 25 mph, Robinson said.

Under an advisory, children, seniors and people with chronic respiratory problems are urged to stay indoors.

Health officials also advise against exercising outdoors during wind and dust storms because of an increased risk of inhaling dust particles.

When spring officially arrives in Southern Nevada at about noon on Friday, a drying trend could begin that will raise dust and pollen through the summer months, forecasters said.

Conditions ranging from warm, sunny days to cooler, windier and wetter weather are typical of spring in the Las Vegas Valley.

Bursts of showers across the valley since Saturday had dropped enough moisture on desert surfaces to keep dust to a minimum during Tuesday's winds, National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Fuis said.

But winds gusted above 40 mph on Tuesday, prompting the air quality watch. The winds peaked at 49 mph at Nellis Air Force Base on Tuesday.

High winds stir up airborne particles that are smaller than the width of a human hair and can become lodged in the lungs. Inhaled dust aggravates respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma.

The Las Vegas Valley currently does not meet the federal 24-hour air quality standard for dust. The federal Environmental Protection Agency, however, is reviewing a plan that meets those standards by 2006, Robinson said.

"Clark County has developed one of the most stringent dust-control programs in the country, but a government agency can't solve this problem alone," Robinson said. "We need the community's help."

Residents can help officials clear the county's air by reporting blowing dust clouds. The hotline is designed to help field compliance officers locate sources of dust plumes and blowing debris, Robinson said.