(Deming) – Officials at the New Mexico Environment Department, the city of Deming and Luna County are advising Luna County citizens of the potential risks associated with dust storms.
High winds, which have been prevalent this week, can raise large amounts of dust from areas of dry, loose, exposed soil.
Luna County typically experiences ten days per year when air exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for airborne particulate matter of ten microns or less in size due to dust storms. Ten microns is about 1/7th the diameter of a human hair. The ten-micron standard was developed to protect the public’s health and welfare.
Environment Department experts say the inhalation of dust can cause a number of serious health problems and can make some health problems worse.
Dust can irritate lungs and trigger asthma attacks, as well as allergic reactions. For people who already suffer from these conditions, dust can cause serious breathing problems. Dust can also cause coughing, wheezing and runny noses. Breathing large amounts of dust for prolonged periods can result in chronic breathing and lung problems.
The best precaution to take during a dust storm is simply to avoid going outside.
If residents must go outside, they are advised to spend as little time outside as possible, avoid hard exercise and wear some type of covering over the nose and mouth to provide protection from larger dust particles.
High winds, which have been prevalent this week, can raise large amounts of dust from areas of dry, loose, exposed soil.
Luna County typically experiences ten days per year when air exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for airborne particulate matter of ten microns or less in size due to dust storms. Ten microns is about 1/7th the diameter of a human hair. The ten-micron standard was developed to protect the public’s health and welfare.
Environment Department experts say the inhalation of dust can cause a number of serious health problems and can make some health problems worse.
Dust can irritate lungs and trigger asthma attacks, as well as allergic reactions. For people who already suffer from these conditions, dust can cause serious breathing problems. Dust can also cause coughing, wheezing and runny noses. Breathing large amounts of dust for prolonged periods can result in chronic breathing and lung problems.
The best precaution to take during a dust storm is simply to avoid going outside.
If residents must go outside, they are advised to spend as little time outside as possible, avoid hard exercise and wear some type of covering over the nose and mouth to provide protection from larger dust particles.
RSS Feed
