Over half a million Americans have been warned to stay indoors and lock their windows as toxins deemed hazardous to human health fill the air.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed large swaths of heavily polluted air in Arizona, California and Oregon, including pockets showing high levels of dangerous toxins known as fine particulate matter or PM2.5.
These are microscopic particles of toxic compounds or heavy metals often produced by factories and car exhaust small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. They cause inflammation, breathing difficulties and other health issues when inhaled.
The worst pockets have been detected over several major cities in Arizona, including Gilbert and Chandler, which have a combined population of more than 580,000.
The EPA has warned that air quality levels in both cities registered as ‘hazardous’ Monday morning – their worst rating for air quality measurements. Both are less than 20 miles east of Phoenix, which has a population of more than 1.6million people.
Air quality-tracking website IQAir noted that PM2.5 levels just east of Gilbert and Chandler were more than 15 times higher than the World Health Organization‘s recommended safe limits.
IQAir has also reported that wind patterns are moving this air pollution north, resulting in dust and sand blowing through nearby Scottsdale, home to a quarter-million Americans.
When air gets this bad, health officials urge anyone in the affected areas to close their windows to avoid dirty outdoor air, avoid outdoor exercise, wear a face mask when leaving the house and run an air purifier if they own one.
This is a breaking story. More details to follow.
A dust storm seen in Arizona in 2025 (Stock Image)
The EPA’s live air quality tracking data has warned of hazardous air over Arizona (Pictured), California and Oregon on Monday, March 30
Another major plume of hazardous toxins was detected over Oregon’s major city of Eugene, home to more than 170,000 people.
The EPA’s live tracking data warned that highly polluted air was centered over the heart of the city and was spreading west towards the Pacific Ocean, reaching communities over 40 miles away.
In California, a potentially dangerous dust storm pouring over the US-Mexico boarder has created ‘very unhealthy’ conditions in the Southern California city of El Centro, home to more than 40,000 people.
