Phoenix dust storm triggers high pollution advisory
Dust storm creates hazy skies over Phoenix
A category five dust storm and lingering clouds left Phoenix skies hazy and muggy on Tuesday, triggering a High Pollution Advisory. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz reports.
PHOENIX - The Papago Buttes area usually has a clear view of Downtown Phoenix, but that was not the case on Aug. 4.
"It’s very muggy and disgusting today," said Emily, who lives in Phoenix.
The view from Loop 202 was hardly any less soupy.
"It looks like garbage out here," said Jamie, another Phoenix resident.
On a sunny day in Encanto Park, the Downtown skyline stands out, but not with Tuesday's dust layer.
"It’s usually visible, but it wasn’t today," said Armando Aguilar, who was visiting the park.
What they're saying:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued a High Pollution Advisory for Phoenix, expecting dust to exceed federal health standards.
"That's a level where people who are sensitive to air pollution, sensitive to dust, people with asthma, COPD, even children or the elderly, they're going to be the most susceptible to that kind of air pollution," said Michael Graves, an air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Experts blame a dust storm on the night of Aug. 3. That storm was rated a Category 5 on the ASU Dust Storm Scale due to its widespread dust, high winds, and long duration.
"We had blowing dust that moving through the Valley late last night from the south," Graves said. "Those winds picked up a bunch of dust and just transported into the Valley."
He says cloud cover kept the dust around Tuesday.
"We didn't have any rain, so no rain followed the dust, and that's why we have a lot more dust," Graves said.
Phoenix air quality drops to hazardous levels
Health experts warn that rising dust pollution in Phoenix poses severe risks for children and asthma patients. FOX 10's Andrew Christiansen reports.
Dig deeper:
"These thunderstorms that developed over the southeast Phoenix area picked up a lot of dust," said Ari Halpert, communications department officer for the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. "Restrictions are in place, meaning wood burning is prohibited during this 24-hour period unless another HPA or No Burn Day is called, and we highly discourage the use of leaf blowers in order to prevent adding more air pollution."
Gary Kirkilas, a pediatrician with Phoenix Children's Hospital, said children face higher risks for health complications when air quality degrades.
"Being that they have smaller bodies, they breathe more rapidly. They're breathing in more of this particulate matter in general," Kirkilas said. "If you have a young child, try to keep them indoors during these dust storms. If there's somebody that has asthma in particular, you want to keep them indoors. Having their albuterol ready."
Kirkilas added that inhaling airborne dust can also expose individuals to Valley Fever.
Category 5 dust storm blasts Arizona overnight
A massive dust storm swept across the Phoenix area overnight, leaving a heavy layer of dust blanketing the area throughout the day. Officials confirmed the event reached a Category 5 rating on the Arizona State University dust storm scale.
Local perspective:
Anyone out and about noticed the change in the sky.
"I feel like we moved to LA," Jamie said.
While some minimized their time outside due to the air quality, others embraced the clouds.
"I don’t mind it, it’s nice from the heat," a man told FOX 10 downtown.
Armando Aguilar and his family took advantage of the cooler temperatures, spending the day at Encanto Park.
"That’s why we’re out here actually, because usually by this time, the sun's already beaming, and you're sweating, and you're not even doing anything," Aguilar said.
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Ari Halpert, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Dr. Gary Kirkilas, Phoenix Children's Hospital and people throughout Phoenix.