What is airborne dust? | |
 |
| Airborne dust is particle, or particular matter
(PM), pollution, and is one of the most significant air pollutants in Pima County.
PM is made up of tiny solid particles of liquid droplets (a fraction of the thickness
of a human hair) that float in the air we breathe, because they are so small you
can not see individual particles, but you can sometimes see the haze that is formed
when millions of particles blur the spread of sunlight. |  |
| Where does airborne dust come from? |
| Any type of earth-moving activity or combustion
can produce excessive amounts of particles in the air, whether it be from businesses,
industry, or individuals. Sources include: | |
- Disturbed, vacant or open lands
- Construction
or mining activities
- Landscaping or maintenance
activities
- Industrial Sources
|
- Unpaved/paved roads, parking lots
- Diesel
exhaust
- Agriculture activity
- Off
road vehicle activity
- Fires, fireplace, camp,
forest
| |
Why should I be concerned about airborne dust? |
|
| Particles can be so small that they pass
through the nasal passage and travel to the deepest parts of the lungs and cause
damage. To compound the problem, toxic and cancer; causing chemicals can attach
themselves to PM yielding much more profound effects. The tiniest of particles
can even pass into the bloodstream through the lungs. People
most at risk from breathing particle pollution are children, the elderly, and
people with respiratory or heart disease. Healthy people can be affected as well
especially out door exercisers. Effects of breathing PM for hours, days, or years
include: | - Breathing
difficulties
- Respiratory pain
- Diminished
lung function
- Weakened immune system
- Increased
hospitalization
| - Increased
absenteeism at school/work
- Increased
severity of acute bronchitis and pneumonia
- Heart
attacks and stokes
- Premature death
(1-8 years)
| | Airborne
particulates can also reduce visibility which can be hazardous while driving,
and interferes with views. | | |
|
Simple Solutions |
|
| There are many
methods that may be used to control airborne dust. Common solutions for different
sources include: Individuals
- Limit fireplace and campfire use
- Use
propane instead of charcoal barbecue grills
- Drive
slowly on dirt roads
- Use alternative-fueled
vehicles
Off-Road
Vehicles - Drive slowly on
dirt roads
- Stay on existing roads
or trails
- Avoid silty, or powdery
soils
- Keep from riding in residential
areas
Open/Vacant Land
- Prevent motor vehicle trespassing
- Plant
native drought tolerant vegetation
Construction/Mining
- Water at sufficient quantity, frequency, and
depth before, during, after activity
- Prevent
track out of dirt or mud onto paved roads
- Cover
haul materials
Landscape
Maintenance - Use brooms or
electric vacuum blowers instead of gas-powered leaf blowers
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