Dust advisory returns for Las Vegas Valley, thanks to Arizona storms

Clark County’s air quality took another hit Thursday when windblown dust from Arizona thunderstorms moved into the area.

The intrusion of dust into the valley’s airspace prompted a dust advisory Thursday afternoon from the Clark County Environment &Sustainability’s Division of Air Quality. The advisory was set to expire at midnight Thursday.

Clark County remains under a seasonal ozone and wildfire smoke advisory until Sept. 30.

The poor air quality came on the second-to-last day of an extreme heat warning by the National Weather Service.

Tips to limit exposure to dust

Airborne dust is a form of inhalable air pollution called particulate matter or PM, which aggravates respiratory diseases, the county said. Under windy conditions, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children may feel better staying indoors as much as possible. They could be at greater risk from particulates, especially when they are physically active, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

— Limit outdoor exertion on windy days when dust is in the air.

— Keep windows and doors closed.

— Run your air conditioner inside your house and car to filter out particulates.

— Consider changing your indoor air filters if they are dirty.

— Don’t take short cuts across vacant lots.

— To keep dust down, drive slowly on unpaved roads.

— Ride off-road vehicles in approved areas outside the urban valley.

Call the Environment and Sustainability’s dust complaint hotline at 702-385-DUST (3878) to report excessive amounts of blowing dust from construction sites, vacant lots or facilities.