Air scientists are studying the monitor readings from the windy Tuesday we had this week. Did the dust cause an air violation? I don't know, but my eyes and sinuses are still burning.

We live in a dusty Valley, folks. In air quality lingo, it's PM-10 -- particulate matter 10 microns and smaller in size. We're talking microscopic here. But your lungs feel it. So do my eyes.

The San Joaquin Valley has not had a "real" PM-10 violation in years, according to air-quality cops with state and local agencies. There have been times when this dust and soot exceeded the federal health standard, but those have been excluded because of high wind.

I take antihistamines to stop my allergic reaction, which sometimes gets worse as the ozone begins to spike in the hotter weather. We're going to get enough heat this weekend to trigger that problem, too.

Keep the antihistamines handy. In about three weeks, we're going to celebrate the Fourth of July with showers of colorful metals and other tiny specks in fireworks. If the ozone also is high, it'll be a double whammy day.

Am I the only one noticing the burning eyes, sneezing and stuffy nose?