Health officials warn of respiratory risks with blowing dust

NOW, WITH THE WIND EXPECTED FOR TOMORROW, WE REACHED OUT TO THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ABOUT SOME OF THE SAFETY ISSUES PEOPLE MAY FACE. THE BEST THING WOULD BE TO AVOID IT AND TRY TO STAY INSIDE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. IF IT IS UNAVOIDABLE, YOU CAN TRY TO COVER YOUR FACE AND NOSE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. OTHERWISE, I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, JUST TRY TO GET TO A PROTECTED AREA AS SOON AS YOU CAN AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WASH THE WASH YOUR FACE GROUPS MOST IMPACTED BY THESE DUST EVENTS ARE KIDS AN

Residents of is health risk to Dona Ana and Luna County residents

Once again, the New Mexico Department of Health is warning of potential health risks from dust storms caused by high winds forecast for Tuesday. The highest risk would be for infants, the elderly, people with chronic respiratory ailments, people with heart or lung disease, and pregnant women, an NMDOH news release said.Staying indoors and limiting strenuous exercise during a dust storm is advised. If outdoors, wear protective clothing and a covering over nose and mouth. An N-95 mask is the best covering.”When you’re inhaling dust, it can include pollen, and it can include dirt and other stuff,” said Chelsea Langer, acting chief of NMDOH’s epidemiology bureau. “It can trigger asthma attack, it can trigger allergic reactions, or it can just cause the respiratory response of itchy, watery eyes and nasal congestion.”More information on the health risk from blowing dust is available online at env.nm.gov/air-quality/my-air-quality or call NMDOH at 1-800-6157.

SANTA FE, N.M. —

Once again, the New Mexico Department of Health is warning of potential health risks from dust storms caused by high winds forecast for Tuesday.

The highest risk would be for infants, the elderly, people with chronic respiratory ailments, people with heart or lung disease, and pregnant women, an NMDOH news release said.

Staying indoors and limiting strenuous exercise during a dust storm is advised. If outdoors, wear protective clothing and a covering over nose and mouth. An N-95 mask is the best covering.

“When you’re inhaling dust, it can include pollen, and it can include dirt and other stuff,” said Chelsea Langer, acting chief of NMDOH’s epidemiology bureau. “It can trigger asthma attack, it can trigger allergic reactions, or it can just cause the respiratory response of itchy, watery eyes and nasal congestion.”

More information on the health risk from blowing dust is available online at env.nm.gov/air-quality/my-air-quality or call NMDOH at 1-800-6157.

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