The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District and County Public Health Department are advising the public of deteriorating air quality in the Oceano Dunes/Nipomo Mesa area due to blowing dust and sand. Due to forecasted high winds, blowing sand and dust is forecasted to occur from Tuesday, June 18 through Sunday, June 23 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the dust forecasted to peak from 1 to 5 p.m. Very sensitive individuals such as infants, as well as children and adults with existing respiratory or heart conditions, may experience adverse health effects during blowing dust periods.
County officials recommend that the public reschedule outdoor activities to occur when there is no visible dust. If blowing dust and sand is visible in the air, County officials recommend all adults and children avoid strenuous outdoor activity, remain indoors as much as possible, and set any heating/air conditioning/ventilation systems to recirculation. The public is advised to consult your doctor if you are experiencing health problems in an area with blowing dust and sand. If staying indoors does not provide relief, temporarily leaving the area and going to a location where the sand is not blowing and dust is not visible is advised.
County officials will continue to closely monitor air pollution levels throughout our region. The forecasted air quality index is available on the APCD website here by clicking on “Todays Air Quality”. The AQI focuses on health effects individuals may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The forecasted AQI is also available to the public via email. Sign up to receive the daily air quality forecast via email here. A recorded message describing San Luis Obispo County air quality conditions is available by calling (805) 781-4390.