EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso is under a Weather Authority Alert for another dust storm, which seem to be lining up one after another this February and March.
Experts say that these dust storms seem worse than ever and they can negatively impact both your physical health and the health of your home.
El Paso is under an alert for another dust storm on Tuesday, March 18 continuing to fuel concerns about the alarming rate of dust storms the Borderland has experienced so far in 2025.
“The patients are a lot worse than they have been in the past because of these dust storms, especially the ones who have underlying lung disease, like our asthmatic or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients, anybody with a history of Covid or any infections. And on top of that, now they’re having more difficulty breathing. So it’s been more difficult to be able to control their symptoms. And even if we’re able to get them a little better, they end up coming back because a new dust storm is brewing in the background,” said Dr. Fahad Omar, a pulmonologist at Las Palmas Medical Center.
Omar agrees with Thomas E. Gill, an environmental sciences professor at UTEP, that the winds and dust storms El Paso has seen through February and March have occurred at levels not seen in several years. That’s cause for greater concern since dust season usually peaks in April, they said.
Borderland experiencing extreme dust level activity, UTEP professor says
As a result, they have both urged El Paoans to take steps to mitigate health risks, especially for older populations who are at a higher risk of developing lung disease or other medical conditions, and younger populations, such as infants whose lungs are still developing.
“For those patients, it’s very important that they prevent any exposure at all, if they can. So at least wear a full mask where they’re out breathing in this air. They’re throwing the mask out when they’re coming into the house. They’re washing their clothes. They’re not wearing the same clothes to bed. Therefore they’re not bringing the same environment into their bedrooms, which is going to worsen their symptoms,” Omar said.
Omar also said the severe blowing dust activity in El Paso combined with seasonal changes have worsened people’s allergies, but he reminds people to seek medical advice before adjusting their allergy medicine dosage.
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) experts, meanwhile, remind people it is imperative to get their AC units inspected as soon as possible to ensure they are working efficiently through the dust storm season, and to avoid costly damage.
“If you don’t change your filters, your AC unit will freeze up. If you don’t clean the coils, it could cause severe damage to the compressors, electrical components, and overheating of the system. It (also) takes a toll on your energy bill, bottom line,” said Jesus De La Trinidad, service manager at Southwest Mechanical Heating & Cooling.
De La Torres said people can easily switch out the filter to their AC units, whether it’s a mini-split AC or a refrigeration system, and to do it at least every two months.
He, however, urges people to contact a professional to inspect and perform cleaning services to the outdoor packaged unit of their AC system, and they can properly assess that all electrical and mechanical components of the system are working properly.
“Anybody can change parts. We’re not part changers. You need somebody that knows what they’re doing,” De La Trinidad said.
To contact Southwest Mechanical, click here.
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