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Health authorities are advising residents across the southern U.S. border to remain indoors and keep windows closed due to increasingly dangerous conditions in the area.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued its highest alert regarding air quality over regions of Texas and New Mexico. Officials have labeled the current pollutants over a 150-mile stretch of land as “hazardous” to human health.
The epicenter of the toxic cloud is El Paso, Texas, a city positioned along the U.S.-Mexico border. This area is already experiencing high wind alerts, which may be exacerbating the situation by carrying smoke and dust from nearby regions.
IQAir, a website that monitors air quality, has flagged the presence of PM10 in the region. PM10 consists of microscopic solid particles or liquid droplets that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter, which is thinner than a human hair.
These inhalable particles pose a significant health risk as they can penetrate deeply into the lungs. They typically originate from construction dust, pollen, mold, smoke, soot, industrial emissions, and dirt carried by the wind.
PM10 is noticeably larger that 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.
Real-time tracking of the Air Quality Index (AQI) along the US border registered at 290, which is considered extremely dangerous for all individuals, sick or healthy.
Smoke seen over El Paso, Texas in February 2025. Pollutants such as PM10 are typically composed of large particles from smoke, soot, and other toxic emissions (Stock Image)
The EPA’s AirNow tracking system reported extremely hazardous air over Texas and New Mexico on Tuesday
Air quality levels are measured on a scale from 0 to 500: good (0–50) carries little risk, moderate (51–100) may affect sensitive individuals, unhealthy for sensitive groups (101–150) poses increased risk and unhealthy (151–200) impacts everyone, limiting outdoor activity.
According to IQAir, the air quality reading of 290 at the US-Mexico border was worse than any major city on Earth Tuesday, surpassing Dhaka, Bangladesh (248) and both Delhi, India and Lahore, Pakistan (241).
There are approximately one million people living in the great El Paso metropolitan area alone.Â
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a widespread Red Flag Warning and high wind advisories throughout the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, and Great Plains.
Red Flag Warnings means that the conditions for wildfires have reached a critical point and any spark may set off a large blaze.
Anyone in the affected area has been advised to avoid outdoor exercise, limit their time outside, wear a face mask if they leave their home, close all windows to prevent smoke and dust from entering, and turn on air purifiers.
Typically, air quality alerts are set off by stagnant air, where high atmospheric pressure and little to no wind keep airborne pollutants from floating away.
In this instance, Texas and New Mexico are both severe wind warnings, with NWS predicting gusts reaching hurricane-force strength at over 75mph in certain areas on Tuesday.Â
El Paso, Texas, looking toward the US southern border and Juarez, Mexico (Stock Image)
‘High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,’ NWS added in their alert.
‘Plumes of blowing dust will create pockets of low visibility. Visibilities will likely change rapidly over short distances, making travel hazardous in these areas.’