RAPID CITY, S.D. — An air pollution alert has been issued for Rapid City after a series of high particulate matter readings were reported by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The readings, taken from a westside air quality monitoring site, averaged 150 micrograms per cubic meter, a level considered hazardous.
The high particulate matter is likely a result of high winds causing dust to be kicked up from construction sites, unpaved roads, and other areas with disturbed soil. A Natural Events Action Plan for Rapid City previously identified high wind events as a cause of elevated particulate matter levels, noting that windblown dust from various sources is a significant contributor to pollution.
Morgan Twombly, a City Environmental Planner, is advising at-risk individuals to take precautions.
“We advise that any manipulation of soils cease or be minimized during these events. We also recommend that process equipment, waste pits, stockpiles, and construction sites be stabilized via watering or chemical treatments to increase pollution control,” Twombly said.
The city of Rapid City has an “Air Quality Index” link on its website, rcgov.org, which allows residents to view current air quality conditions by entering a zip code. Additional real-time data is available on the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources website.