Thousands of residents across parts of southeastern California—including the Coachella Valley, and San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties—have been advised to stay inside and “keep windows and doors closed.”
This is because levels of particle pollution have reached “harmful” levels, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), which has issued an air quality alert for overnight Wednesday, through Thursday, until Thursday evening.
Which Parts of California Have Got Poor Air Quality, And Why
The NWS air quality alert states that elevated levels of particle pollution, caused by windblown dust, are affecting the following areas:
The southeast, west, and southwest portions of Imperial County, including the Chuckwalla Mountains and Imperial ValleyThe Palo Verde Valley, including communities such as Mountain SpringImperial Hot Mineral SpringsWinterhavenCoolidge SpringsSalton CityWinonaCoyote WellsOcotilloPlaster CityEl CentroCalexicoAlamorioBrawleyBlythePalo VerdeRipleyThe San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys (Inland Empire)The Coachella ValleyThe San Gorgonio Pass near BanningCities, including Ontario, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona, Idyllwild, Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Coachella.What Residents in California Should Do When Air Quality is ‘Harmful’
When air pollution reaches harmful levels, the NWS has warned that everyone in the area may be affected and should, therefore, take steps to reduce their exposure to outdoor air by limiting the intensity and duration of any outdoor activities.
Those in sensitive groups, which include the elderly, children, and those with existing heart and lung conditions, should exercise extreme caution and avoid all outdoor activities until conditions improve.
Residents should also keep the air indoors as clean as possible, including in their homes. The NWS advises them to keep windows and doors closed, use air conditioners, filters, or air purifiers where possible, avoid using fans or swamp coolers that bring the outside air in, and not to use indoor fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, candles, or incense until the air quality improves.
Why Is Particle Pollution Harmful?
Particle pollution is considered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of the most harmful types of air pollution.
This is because the particles are so small—in some cases less than 2.5 micrometres in size, which is smaller than the width of a single strand of hair—they can be unknowingly inhaled, traveling deep into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and eyes, nose, and throat irritation or worsening existing medical issues, such as asthma.
The NWS warns that “particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections.”