APCD warns of unhealthy blowing dust in SLO County. Here’s where
Blowing dust will cause a health hazard to some in southern San Luis Obispo County into Tuesday evening, according to a “Better Breather Alert” issued by the local Air Pollution Control District.
Very sensitive residents such as infants and those with respiratory or heart conditions in the Oceano and Nipomo area “may experience adverse health effects” due to the blowing dust, the APCD warned.
Blowing sand and dust is expected to occur from 1 to 7 p.m., peaking from 2 to 6 p.m., according to the APCD.
“SLO County APCD recommends that the public reschedule outdoor activities to occur when there is no visible dust,” the alert said. “If blowing dust and sand is visible in the air, SLO County APCD recommends all adults and children avoid strenuous outdoor activity, remain indoors as much as possible and set any heating/air conditioning/ventilation systems to recirculation.”
As of about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, the air quality index for the Nipomo Mesa ranged from 81 to 111, according to the APCD. Anything above 101 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The last air quality alert was issued April 4, another was issued Jan. 4 and eight were issued in 2021 in total, according to the APCD.
The areas east of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area typically experience the worst air pollution in the county on dry and windy days due to the blowing dust from the dunes.
Members of the public can sign up for early alerts for blowing dust on the Nipomo Mesa from the APCD to be warned of when air quality conditions in the area are deteriorating. These are text messages sent to your mobile phone.
To sign up, visit SLOCleanAir.org and on the homepage, select the AirAware Alerts button and follow the instructions on the next page. If you have any questions or need help getting your mobile device signed up, call the APCD at 805-781-1003.
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 4:11 PM.
