Winds expected to kick up unhealthy dust in southeast and south-central Washington

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - September 3, 2010

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SPOKANE –Winds up to 28 miles per hour Saturday across much of south-central and southeastern Washington may stir up loose dirt from harvest operations and residents are asked to take precautions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a forecast for winds after 11 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday) blowing from the west between 8 and 17 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Saturday night’s forecast is for areas of blowing dust until 8 p.m. with gusts up to 26 mph.

The wind is expected to affect Yakima, Sunnyside, Moses Lake, Ellensburg, Goldendale, Connell, Pasco, Walla Walla and many parts of northeastern Oregon. With the freshly disturbed soils from harvest operations, the potential exists for dust concentrations to be high enough to affect sensitive people Saturday afternoon and evening.

Winds stir up dust particles, which can be inhaled deeply into lungs. Dust particles can irritate or damage sensitive tissues in the respiratory system. People with respiratory illnesses, the elderly, young children, pregnant women and anyone engaged in strenuous physical activity outdoors are most at risk.

Here’s how you can protect yourself during a dust event:

Stay indoors as much as possible.
Wear a mask designed to block small particles.
Watch for sudden changes in visibility while driving.
Avoid driving during windy conditions when windblown dust is likely.
Turn on headlights as a safety precaution.

After the wind stops blowing, fine dust can remain suspended in the air as traffic grinds up dust deposited from the storm. In some low-lying areas, the air can become “stagnant,” and particles may settle out of the air slowly.

Residents can help reduce airborne dust by driving slower on unpaved roads and by postponing projects at home that stir up dust.

Dust control is required for all construction projects. Control measures include clearing no more land than necessary, working in phases to minimize the amount of exposed land area, using a commercial dust suppressant to replace or reduce the use of water, covering bare ground with gravel, and curtailing activities on windy days.

For more information, contact Ecology’s Eastern Regional Office in Spokane, 509-329-3574; Ecology’s Central Regional Office in Yakima, 509-454-4193; or your local air quality agency:

In Spokane County, call the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency at 509-477-4727.
In Benton County, call the Benton Clean Air Agency at 509-783-1304.
In Yakima County, call the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency at 509-834-2050.

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Media Contact:

Jani Gilbert, Ecology Eastern Regional Office, 509-329-3495; cell, 509-990-9177; e-mail jani.gilbert@ecy.wa.gov
Joye Redfield-Wilder, Ecology Central Regional Office, 509-575-2610; cell 509-961-6277; e-mail jred461@ecy.wa.gov