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Gusty Winds Prompt Health Caution
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Blowing dust as a result of gusty winds has prompted local air pollution officials to issue a health cautionary statement Tuesday into Wednesday morning for the entire San Joaquin Valley.

A cold front is producing strong to gusty winds that will cause localized blowing dust in the San Joaquin Valley where soils are potentially very dry—elevating concentrations of particulate matter 10 microns and smaller (PM10). Exposure to particulate pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections.

Where conditions warrant, people with heart or lung disease should follow their doctors’ advice for dealing with episodes of particulate exposure. Additionally, older adults and children should avoid prolonged exposure or heavy exertion, depending on their local conditions.

For more information, visit www.valleyair.org or call a San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District office in Fresno (559-230-6000), Modesto (209-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-392-5500).