THE VALLEY AIR DISTRICT HAS ISSUED A HEALTH CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
FOR MERCED...FRESNO...KINGS...TULARE...AND THE VALLEY PORTION OF
KERN COUNTIES FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING DUE
TO BLOWING DUST CAUSED BY WINDY CONDITIONS.

EXPOSURE TO PARTICLE POLLUTION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH
PROBLEMS...AGGRAVATE LUNG DISEASE...CAUSE ASTHMA ATTACKS AND
ACUTE BRONCHITIS AND INCREASE RISK OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS. IN
PEOPLE WITH HEART DISEASE...SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE TO PARTICLE
POLLUTION HAS BEEN LINKED TO HEART ATTACKS AND ARRHYTHMIA/S...
ACCORDING TO THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. CHILDREN
AND ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE ALSO MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CONSEQUENCES OF
HIGH PARTICULATE LEVELS.

STAY INDOORS IF POSSIBLE. AVOID PROLONGED OR STRENUOUS OUTDOOR
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE THE AFFECTS OF UNHEALTHY AIR.