More than 50,000 residents in California were advised to stay indoors because of dangerous air pollution levels, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The National Weather Service said the high levels of air pollution stem from wind-driven dust.
Why It Matters
Dangerous air pollution levels pose serious and potentially long-term health risks. Fine particle pollution—known as PM2.5—can penetrate deep into the lungs, exacerbating conditions like asthma and increasing susceptibility to lung infections.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) cautions that high levels of particle pollution can cause serious health issues, particularly for sensitive groups including people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those spending extended periods outdoors.
What To Know
The EPA’s AirNow pollution map shows a large area in the Coachella Valley facing “unhealthy” levels of pollution in the “red” category on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Towns inside the affected region include Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Thousand Palms…