Immediate Actions Based on Conditions

• Normal – Normal Operations

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When: Wind speeds are below 25 mph and PM levels are within safe limits.

 

Action: Continue or return to routine operations using standard dust-control procedures.

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• Level 1 – Increase Dust Control Measures

 

When: Wind speeds have reached or exceeded 25 mph for at least 15 minutes.

Action: Continue operations but increase dust suppression measures (for example, increase watering frequency).

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• Level 2 – Stop Dust Generating Activities

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When: Wind speeds at or above 25 mph with unhealthy PM levels.

Action: Immediately stop all dust-generating activities and suspend operations in affected areas. If safe, water trucks or other dust control operations may continue. Resume only after conditions have improved (email or SMS notification).

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Monitoring & Data Collection

• Wind Speed (15-Minute Average), Updated Every 5 Minutes:

 

The system calculates the average wind speed over the past 15 minutes, using 25 mph as the high wind speed threshold.

 

• Particulate Matter (PM), Updated Hourly:

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• PM2.5: Fine particles (≤2.5 µm)

• PM10: Coarser particles (≤10 µm)

 

These particulate matter levels are compared against established thresholds to classify air quality using the EPA's Air Quality Index (e.g., Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, and Hazardous).

Data Source

The near-real-time wind speed and particulate matter data is provided by Microsoft’s Atlas API.

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Email and SMS Privacy, Opt-In, and Opt-Out Policy

​This policy is available here.