Tuesday’s high winds prompted another air quality advisory for Rapid City - the latest of several air pollution alerts that have been issued this season as a result of windy and dry conditions.
The Rapid City Air Quality Office recommends that residents keep an eye on the Air Quality Index, and reduce heavy physical activity and outdoor exposure accordingly.
Darrell Shoemaker is the public information officer for the City. Shoemaker says the elderly, young children and residents with respiratory health conditions are most at risk.
"[We're] basically advising them to limit their outdoor activities or if they don't need to be outside to stay inside during the alert period, so that they're minimizing their exposure to fine dust particles, especially in this case in West Rapid City."
The area west of the Gap in Rapid City is susceptible to poor air quality associated with blowing dust from land use and industrial activity on that side of town. The City's advisory recommends that construction and similar sectors take voluntary actions to reduce pollution during high wind conditions.
"So construction activities, industrial agriculture activities, if they can either cease for the day or at least reduce that activity so that there's not an increased amount of pollutants in the air," said Shoemaker. "And basically increasing the use of pollution controls for soil stabilization, waste pits, stockpiles and construction sites. "
For more information, residents can visit the City of Rapid City’s website or check the National Weather Service alerts page. Hourly dust concentrations are also available on the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources website.
