OLYMPIA — It’s no secret that Eastern Washington is dusty country, as we were reminded July 17 when a dust storm ripped through the region. While the impact on air quality was marginal, visibility on Interstate 90 became dangerously poor, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Ecology. These storms form rapidly and with little to no warning, so it’s important to be prepared.

Dust storms occur when strong winds stir up dry soil into dark, dense clouds. While storms typically last only a few minutes, they bring serious health and safety risks. From spring to fall, dust devils and small dust storms are fairly common across central and eastern Washington. The DOE reminds people to follow these steps to stay safe if they’re unexpectedly caught in one:

• Cover your nose and mouth — ideally, with an N95 mask

• Go inside, if possible

• Shut windows and doors

• Run a HEPA or DIY box fan air filter

• Avoid strenuous activity

If driving:

• Shut windows and vents, set the A/C to recirculate

If you can safely pull off the road:

• Turn off lights to prevent other cars from following and colliding with you

• Set your emergency brake

If you cannot pull off the road:

• Slow down to a safe speed

• Turn on lights and hazard lights

• Sound the horn occasionally

Dust storms and health

The particulate matter in dust storms — PM10 — is dangerous to human health, according to the DOE. Some dust storms raise the amount of PM10 in the air to unhealthy levels for hours at a time, though this is relatively rare in Washington. Children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma should take extra care to avoid exposure to dust and poor air quality.

Symptoms of dust exposure include:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation

• Coughing and wheezing

People should contact their healthcare provider if they have any further medical concerns.