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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Thousands of people are at risk for "emergency" health conditions in Southern California on Friday, with officials issuing alerts across two counties amid hazardous air quality levels.
Newsweek reached out to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The maroon-level air quality index (AQI) category—covering values 301 and higher—means the air is so unhealthy, it creates a "health warning of emergency conditions" and that "everyone" can be affected, according to the AQI Basics webpage from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Extended exposure to pollutants like ozone or fine particulate matter can lead to coughing, throat irritation and shortness of breath, and may aggravate conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Public health officials often recommend limiting time spent outside when AQI levels rise, especially for high-risk demographics.
What To Know
Air quality was so poor in parts of Southern California on Friday that the South Coast AQMD and Imperial County APCD issued air quality alerts for the affected areas. Both said the poor air quality was caused by "harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust."
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The air quality alerts will remain in place through Friday. According to the EPA's air quality map, the hazardous levels are in place for the following areas:
- Cathedral City
- Yucca Valley
- Rancho Mirage
- Desert Hot Springs
According to recent U.S. Census data, this comprises roughly 120,000 people.
Air quality at the "unhealthy" and "very unhealthy" levels affect a more widespread area, the EPA's air quality map showed.
To minimize outdoor pollution during poor air quality, officials urged people to carpool; telecommute; reduce trips or take public transportation; slow down when driving on dirt roads; and stabilize loose soils.
Similar warnings were issued in other parts of the country this month. One on April 12 advised limited outdoor activity for nearly 1 million children in Texas due to ozone pollution reaching the orange AQI level in Houston, Austin and El Paso.
What People Are Saying
A South Coast AQMD spokesperson told Newsweek: "Windblown dust events can occur year round but high winds and dust most frequently occur from April to October in the Coachella Valley."
The spokesperson added: "Exposure to particle pollution can cause premature death in people with heart or lung disease, cause heart attacks, aggravate asthma, decrease lung function, and cause respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing. People with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults, minority populations, and low socioeconomic status populations are the sensitive groups that are most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure, either because they are more sensitive or may have higher exposures."
What Happens Next
As air quality conditions evolve with weather patterns, residents are encouraged to check real-time updates on AirNow.gov or through local environmental agencies. Steps like staying indoors, using air purifiers and wearing N95 masks during outdoor exposure can help reduce health risks.
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