Dust & smoke create ‘unhealthy’ air quality in KELOLAND

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — You may have noticed a bit of a runny nose, dry eyes or a slight cough this week.

You are not alone. AirNow.gov provides air quality information around the country.

Wednesday, the web page shows the area surrounding Sioux Falls is in the red and lists the air as unhealthy. KELOLAND meteorologist Scot Mundt says the air this morning was very stagnant in southeast South Dakota and full of particulates.

“A lot of dust, aerosols dirt, what have you, some of it can be related back to the harvest, dry conditions very dry conditions,” said KELOLAND Meteorologist Scot Mundt.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources tests for pollution in the state including dust. They measure fine dust at 2.5 microns and course dust at 10 microns. According to AirNow.gov, it is the fine dust making much of the air in KELOLAND unhealthy. Doctors say those with heart and breathing problems should take precautions.

“If certain levels are high it is recommended that you stay indoors, try to close up windows as much as possible, try to make sure you have a central air conditioning system so that the air is circulated in your home appropriately, said The Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Jesse Bracamonte.

A high-quality furnace filter can also help. Mundt says it’s not only the dust, but wildfires that are impacting the air quality right now.

“The fires in Wyoming are giving poor air quality to western South Dakota, we can be a recipient of that too, some of it not all of that, they are getting more of that in western KELOLAND, but their air quality isn’t great either, said Mundt.

Air quality in the state is currently being monitored in Watertown, Brookings, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Aberdeen, Pierre, the Badlands, Rapid City, and at Wind Cave.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.