PAHRUMP - Due to rising air quality concerns, a dust control workshop will be held on Monday, October 21st in Pahrump for the Business Community at 8:30 a.m. and the General Public at 2 p.m.
Recent air quality monitoring data shows that particulate matter pollution (dust) is creeping upwards in the Pahrump Valley. Before it becomes a serious issue, all businesses that conduct business in the Pahrump area are encouraged to attend for a reminder on required dust control measures for construction activities.
The University of Nevada, Reno’s Business Environmental Program, will be co-hosting the dust control workshop in the County Commissioners Chambers, 2100 E. Walt Williams Drive.
Approximately 15-to-20 years ago, Pahrump was experiencing issues with the U.S. EPA standards for dust pollution due to fast population growth and intensive development. In response, the U.S. EPA, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), the Pahrump Town Board, and Nye County took action.
New rules and policies helped Pahrump meet a December 31st, 2009 deadline for Pahrump to demonstrate attainment with U.S. EPA air quality standards for dust pollution.
Current air monitoring data shows the Pahrump area to be exceeding the U.S. EPA standards again. Now is the time for the business community and the general public to take action.
Failure to meet air quality standards will force the U.S. EPA office out of San Francisco to come in and enforce measures to ensure attainment with national air quality standards.
Some preventative measures and steps can be taken NOW, by contractors and industries who conduct business in the Pahrump area, to help comply with air quality standards.
The workshop will review some practices that can be implemented by businesses to prevent dust levels from getting too high, and prevent Pahrump from exceeding national air quality standards for dust and particulate matter.
The workshop is a partnership with Nye County Planning Department, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and the University of Nevada, Reno’s Business Environmental Program.