Dust kicked up by vehicles traveling on roads, construction, agriculture, burning and wind events create a type of air pollution called particulate matter. Particulate matter is classified into two categories Pm10 and PM2.5. Rules and regulations have been adopted to limit the amount of particulate matter produced by certain types of activities.

PM10 is particulate matter where the size of the actual particles is 10 microns in diameter or less. PM10 is a type of air pollution that includes dust, soot, and tiny bits of solid materials that are released and move around in the air. This includes burning of diesel fuels, incineration of garbage, mixing and applying fertilizers and pesticides, road construction, steel making, mining, field burning, forest fires, fireplaces and woodstoves. It causes eye, nose and throat irritation and respiratory problems.

Fugitive dust are particles lifted into the air caused by man-made and natural activities such as the movement of soil, vehicles, equipment, blasting, and wind. Fugitive dust is emitted into the air by activities that disturb the soil, such as earthmoving and vehicular/equipment traffic on unpaved surfaces.

Pinal County Air Quality has four regulations regarding control of dust/particulate matter/fugitive dust.

• Apache Junction Dust Rules
  Township 1N Range 8E
  (Effective August 26, 2009)
  
  
• Construction Site Rules
  Article 3
  (Countywide)
  
  
• Fugitive Dust Rules
  (Countywide)
  
  
• Vacant Lot Dust Rules (Area A & Nonattainment)
  (Effective August 26, 2009)