Smoke, dust particles on the rise in Las Vegas

Steve Marcus

Smoke from California wildfires continues to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009.

By Mary Manning

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009 | 11:21 a.m.

As Southern California wildfires burn, smoke continues to flow into the Las Vegas Valley and local officials are warning sensitive people, the young and the elderly to stay inside with air conditioners operating.

The Las Vegas Valley is recording moderate levels of fine particles, which can reach deeper into the lungs than ordinary dust.

The county's Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management is extending its air quality advisory for smoke and dust through Wednesday since ground-level ozone can occur each afternoon as temperatures rise into the 100s.

Although no air quality alert has been issued, officials said winds under 15 mph and smoke and dust already in the air can create an ideal setting for high ozone levels.

Ozone occurs at ground level during the hottest months of the year in Las Vegas. Ground-level ozone forms when sunlight combines with hot air, pollution from vehicle exhaust and smoke from wildfires to produce urban smog.

Unhealthy doses of ground-level ozone can reduce lung function even in healthy people, and worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma or bronchitis. Ozone exposure can result in coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, even in active, healthy people.

To check ozone and pollution levels at anytime, go to the county's Web site at www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/daqem/Pages/index.aspx.