Millions told to lock windows now as life-threatening toxic air spreads across multiple US states

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Millions told to lock windows now as life-threatening toxic air spreads across multiple US states

Daily Mail
By CHRIS MELORE
17 February 2026

Hazardous conditions along the US southern border have prompted health officials to warn Americans to stay indoors with the windows shut.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued its highest level of alert about the air quality over Texas and New Mexico, calling the pollutants currently in the air over a 150-mile swath of land 'hazardous' to human health.

The toxic cloud is centered over El Paso, Texas, which sits along the US border with Mexico, in an area already under a high wind alert on Tuesday, which may be contributing to blowing in nearby smoke and dust.

The National Weather Service (NWS) specifically issued a blowing dust advisory for El Paso and Santa Teresa, New Mexico on Tuesday.

Air quality-tracking website IQAir warned that the area is full of PM10, a type of air pollution made up of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets floating in the air that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter, thinner than a human hair.

These inhalable particles can get deep into your lungs when you breathe them in and are typically created by dust from construction, pollen, mold, smoke, soot, industrial emissions, and wind-blown dirt.

PM10 is noticeably larger than PM2.5, the microscopic particles composed of toxic compounds or heavy metals from car exhaust and factory emissions.

However, both can damage the lungs, worsen respiratory issues such as asthma, and even contribute to heart attacks and strokes that cause premature death if you breathe in large amounts.

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15568315/lock-windows-toxic-air-multiple-US-states.html

[DCPatriot]

Well geez....

[berdie]

I'm not even close to El Paso...but the wind we've had has stirred up my allergies...bigly!