Forecast of gusty winds prompts dust advisory for valley

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Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 | 9:59 a.m.

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An air quality advisory for dust in the air in the Las Vegas Valley has been issued for Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning due to expected high winds.

Unhealthy levels of dust are not occurring in Southern Nevada today, but Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management officials are sending notices to construction sites in the valley and other areas of the county to secure sites and prevent blowing dust.

Air quality officials will continue to monitor the situation and will post an alert on the forecast page of the department's Web site if unhealthy levels of dust occur.

During windy conditions areas of blowing dust can occur anywhere in the valley. Airborne dust particles are considered air pollution, which can go deep into the lungs and aggravate respiratory diseases such as bronchitis or asthma. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases are urged to stay indoors during dust storms, officials said.

For those who wish to receive air quality forecasts and advisories through e-mail or text messages, the county offers a service through Enviro Flash. To subscribe, go to 222.enviroflash.org.

Residents are encouraged to call the agencies dust complaint hot line at 385-DUST to report excessive amounts of blowing dust.