Description of 3 effects of Wind Blown Dust

1) Health Issues:

Why is Dust a Public Health Issue?

National Ambient Air Quality Standards were established to protect public health from harmful levels of
the most common pollutants. With the enactment of the Federal Clean Air act of 1970, standards were
developed for six major pollutants.  Particulate matter is one of the six major pollutants. These six
pollutants are called "criteria pollutants" because standards were set using health-based criteria.
Particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter is commonly referred to as "PM10" and
can be made up of a variety of components including dust, smoke, and soot.

Why Should I Be Concerned About Dust Storms? 

Dust is made up of tiny particles floating in the air.  These tiny particles can get past our bodies'
natural defenses and build up in our respiratory systems.  This can harm sensitive lung tissue.
During severe dust storms, more dust can get into the lungs. Dust irritates the lungs and can
trigger allergic reactions, as well as asthma attacks. In people who already have respiratory
problems these attacks can be serious and cause breathing problems. Dust can also cause
coughing, wheezing and runny noses. Breathing a lot of dust over a long period of time can
cause chronic breathing and lung problems.

In addition, dust storms are a safety concern and can sometimes create extremely hazardous
situations on public roadways.

Who Should Take Special Precautions? 

 Breathing too much dust can potentially harm anyone. However, the following groups are
at the highest risk: 

 Infants, children, teens, the elderly and  pregnant women 

 People with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other respiratory conditions 

 People with heart disease 

 Healthy adults working or exercising outdoors 

What Can I Do to Protect Others and Myself? 

Since the small dust particles are the most harmful, the best precaution is simply to avoid going
outside during severe dust storms.  If you must go out, spend as little time outside as possible,
and avoid hard exercise.  Wearing some type of covering over your nose and mouth can provide
some protection from large particles.

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(http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/NEAP/Health%20Effects.html )

Studies on health effects of airborne particulate matter (PM) have traditionally focused on
particles <10 µm in diameter (PM10) or particles <2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5). The coarse
fraction of PM10, particles >2.5 µm, has only been studied recently. These particles have
different sources and composition compared with PM2.5. This paper is based on a systematic
review of studies that have analysed fine and coarse PM jointly and examines the
epidemiological evidence for effects of coarse particles on health.

Time series studies relating ambient PM to mortality have in some places provided
evidence of an independent effect of coarse PM on daily mortality, but in most urban areas,
the evidence is stronger for fine particles. The few long-term studies of effects of coarse PM
on survival do not provide any evidence of association.

In studies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and respiratory admissions,

coarse PM has a stronger or as strong short-term effect as fine PM, suggesting that coarse
PM may lead to adverse responses in the lungs triggering processes leading to hospital
admissions. There is also support for an association between coarse PM and cardiovascular
admissions.

It is concluded that special consideration should be given to studying and regulating coarse
particles separately from fine particles.

( http://erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/26/2/309 )

Additional Info at http://www.scdhec.net/administration/library/ML-025309.pdf

2) Affects Outdoor activities:

3) Aviation Maintenance Problems: