Dust particles can act as carriers for toxic and cancer-causing material
Dust may seem like a fairly mild problem compared to other air
pollutants. But if you live in certain areas of Central and Eastern Washington,
you probably know how serious the problem of windblown dust in the air can be.
Dust storms have occurred in Central and Eastern Washington for
many years. Lewis and Clark experienced them during their expedition in the
early 1800s.
From spring through fall, high winds in the Columbia Plateau
region can combine with dry weather conditions and unprotected fields to result
in dust storms. These dust storms can lead to extremely high levels of particulate
matter air pollution.
Recent dust storms … and a
hot, windy summer 2014?
The
Spokane and Tri-Cities regions were hit recently by desert-style storms, known
as a haboob. The most recent and dramatic dust storms were in Mabton in March
2014 and Spokane
and Tri-Cities in September 2013. In the Mabton haboob, a seven-car
accident occurred. The Spokane storm carried a wall of dust and dirt across
Eastern Washington, knocked out power to several thousand people and closed
schools.
“Dry,
hot air traveling at high speeds across loose soil sets the conditions for an
extremely intense wind storm,” said Clint Bowman, Washington Department of
Ecology forecaster.
According to Mary
Wister, science and operations officer for the National Weather Service, and
the Climate Prediction Center, this summer may be hotter
than usual with less precipitation than normal for the Columbia Basin.
“Higher temperatures mean
winds could be stronger,” said Wister. “Strong winds increase the potential for
dust storms.”
Dust impacts your
health
Dust storms wreak havoc on the respiratory health of the vulnerable. The smallest
dust particles are too small to be filtered out by your nose and your body’s
other natural defense systems. They can be breathed deep into your lungs, where
they lodge and cause structural and chemical changes. These particles can also
act as carriers for other toxic and cancer-causing materials. Exposure to
particulate matter has been associated with emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis,
cancer, heart disease, and even death.
Who should be careful
Anyone exposed to the dust particles can suffer some health
effects. High levels of particulate matter can be most dangerous to health when
people are exposed for long periods of time. Since many people in Central and Eastern
Washington live in natural valleys or bowls air pollution can become trapped in
these areas for extended periods. So when dust storms blow through these areas,
the particles can remain in the air for quite a while, depending on weather
conditions.
However, the most at risk and vulnerable
are:
- Infants
- Small children
- Asthmatics
- People with bronchitis, emphysema
- Elderly
- Agriculture/outdoor workers who cannot seek cover
Protect yourself and your family
You can take a number of steps to protect your own and others’
health during a dust storm:
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Wear a mask designed to block small particles. Put one in your car and home.
- Watch for sudden changes in visibility while driving.
- Avoid driving during windy conditions when windblown dust is likely.
- Turn on headlights as a safety precaution.
Find
out more
- Ecology’s local air quality conditions monitoring network
- National Weather Service blowing dust index
- Techniques for dust prevention
- Ecology’s Outdoor Dust Web page
- Public health systems in Washington
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