California city residents are advised to stay inside for two days.
According to Newsweek The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has issued a warning for residents in several Southern California cities to stay indoors this week due to poor air quality.
On Sunday night, the AQMD declared an air quality alert for Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Palm Desert Country, La Quinta, and Coachella. The deteriorating air quality is attributed to increased particle pollution from blowing dust.
Residents are advised to remain indoors with windows and doors closed and avoid strenuous physical activity until the alert expires at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The AQMD suggests using air conditioners or air purifiers and avoiding the use of whole-house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air if temperatures allow.
The alert notes that high levels of particle pollution can lead to serious health issues, including asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and an increased risk of respiratory infections. People with heart or lung conditions should follow their doctor’s advice, while children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory or heart diseases should avoid prolonged exposure and strenuous activities when pollution levels are high.
An AQMD spokesperson explained that high winds in desert areas can stir up dust, leading to unhealthy air quality levels. However, the spokesperson added that fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke typically has more severe health effects compared to blowing dust.
To help reduce pollution levels, residents are encouraged to carpool, telecommute, cut down on trips, or use public transportation. The alert also recommends driving slowly on dirt roads and stabilizing loose soils.
This summer, various California cities have experienced deteriorating air quality, exacerbated by wildfire smoke. As of Tuesday morning, air quality across much of the AQMD region was in the moderate range, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels between 51 and 100. While this level is generally considered acceptable, it can still pose risks to sensitive individuals.
AirNow, a coalition of U.S. government and tribal agencies monitoring air quality, predicts that air quality in Southern California is likely to worsen as the day progresses, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.
