Spring is near.

But the dust bunnies are (already) here.

A dust advisory issued by the Ministry of Environment and Parks, along with Interior Health, for Vernon on Saturday, March 1, remains in effect until further notice.

This is because of high concentrations of coarse particulate matter that are expected to stay until there is precipitation, dust suppression, or a change in traffic patterns. Levels tend to be highest around busy roads and industrial operations.

The Weather Channel shows a 24 per cent chance of precipitation for Vernon Tuesday evening, March 4.

Exposure is particularly a concern for individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes; respiratory infections such as COVID-19, pregnant women, infants, and older adults. Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted.

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as continuing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing, should follow the advice of their health care provider. Staying indoors helps to reduce exposure.

Coarse particulate matter refers to airborne solid or liquid droplets with diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (碌m). Together with fine particulate matter (airborne solid or liquid droplets with diameters of 2.5 碌m or less), these particles are referred to as PM10.

The provincial air quality objective for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic metre (碌g/m3 ), averaged over 24 hours. Vernon's 24-hour average PM10 reading at 8 a.m. Monday, March 4, was 57.9, more than double those of Kelowna (26.1) and Castlegar (26.6). Golden's 24-hour average was 48.1

Real-time air quality information from Vernon and other B.C. communities can be found at: .