Tens of thousands of people in southern California were advised to remain indoors as “emergency” air quality conditions hit parts of the Coachella Valley on Friday.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AirNow map, which provides a real-time snapshot of air quality, showed that air pollution levels around Cathedral City and Thousands Palms were “very unhealthy” to “hazardous” on Friday morning.
The warnings meant that the risk of negative health effects from air pollution was increased for everyone, not just vulnerable populations.
Why It Matters
Air pollution and extreme heat pose significant health risks to the general public, in particular for the young, seniors and vulnerable populations such as those with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions…