TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Gusty winds around Tucson are kicking up dust and airborne particulates.

A spokeswoman for the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality says the dusty conditions post a risk for those with respiratory concerns.

The agency issued an air quality advisory Monday.

Dust levels likely will remain elevated for another day or two, said Beth Gorman, a spokeswoman for the department.

People sensitive to wind-blown particulate matter should reduce their level of exertion or exercise, she said.

"It might be all right to go out for a short walk, but taking a 20-mile run is probably not a good idea," she said.

Particulates can aggravate asthma and increase respiratory symptoms such as coughing and lead to difficult or painful breathing, throat irritation, chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function, Gorman said.

Unhealthy levels of dust particles in the 10 micron range were recorded at the department's north Tucson monitoring site.

Particles that size are smaller in diameter than a human hair, officials said.

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Information from: Tucson Citizen, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com

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