Unhealthy air quality readings were detected in El Paso, Texas, on Friday afternoon, according to monitoring from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Air Quality Index (AQI) for El Paso was reported at 182, which is considered an “unhealthy” level in which “some members of the general public may experience health effects,” according to the EPA.
The primary pollutant was identified as PM10, a type of air pollutant made up of particulate matter that is 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller. These particles are small enough to be inhaled into the upper respiratory system but large enough to come from visible dust sources. Common pollutants include dust, ash, mold, and pollen…