Sentence:  He said the dust collecting units were not operating as they should in October 1984 and there were “quite a few" <WSD>dustouts</WSD>. These, he claimed, would require one to vacate the basement as soon as possible by walking along the side of the walls in the dark. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A cloud of dust or duststorm that creates conditions of inadequate visibility.