Saharan dust plume coming to Florida's air. Is it dangerous? How to protect yourself
Floridians may be treated to brilliant sunsets soon as two huge plumes of Saharan dust blow over the state, starting at the end of May. But for some people, dust in the air can mean anything from an itchy throat to more serious, lasting conditions.
Every year from around June to September, a mass of sand, dirt and dry, dust air from the North Africa desert is pulled into the atmosphere to blow west. It's called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), and it can help keep the hurricane season calmer as it dries out the air over the Atlantic and Caribbean basins.
It's a thin layer, and many people may not even notice it other than marveling at the suddenly more vibrant skies at dusk.
But it's still dust. Particulate matter is not good for human lungs.
"Saharan dust lowers air quality by increasing the concentration of mineral dust, things like silica and quartz," Dr. Samuel Gurevich, a pulmonologist with Cleveland Clinic in Florida said in an email. "These tiny particles can travel deep into the lungs and cause significant inflammation."
The dust also tends to make the air drier, which can further irritate airways, Gurevich said. This might mean a runny nose or itchy eyes.
"But, for people with respiratory conditions, it can cause more serious symptoms or flare ups," he said.
Studies have shown dramatically increased admissions to emergency rooms for asthma, pneumonia, heart failure and respiratory events during dust storms. A 2020 study in Miami showed a marked increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ER visits during a Saharan dust event.
Here's what to know.
"People with respiratory conditions, like asthma and COPD (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), are especially vulnerable," Gurevich said. "Exposure to the dust can trigger asthma attacks or COPD flare-ups, leading to serious symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing, and sometimes sever enough to require an ER visit."
Saharan dust can also affect people living with heart disease or diabetes, and it's especially risky for babies, children, pregnant women and older adults.
The effects can last for weeks after exposure, Gurevich said.
Gurevich suggests staying indoors on bad days with poor air quality, with the windows closed and the air-conditioner running. Air purifiers can help, especially if fitted with HEPA filters.
"If you need to go outside, consider wearing a dust or surgical mask," he said. "And if you're driving, make sure to keep the windows up and the AC on to help filter the air."
If you have a respiratory condition, keep your inhalers and medications with you and ready to use at all times, If you're with someone who has asthma, especially younger children or older adults, keep an eye on them as they may not recognize or speak up about their symptoms right away.
Extra precautions should be taken for children, who are more susceptible to poor air quality, according to the American Lung Association. Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe in more air (and consequently more pollution) for their size than adults. And don't forget your pets.
You can track air quality in your area at airnow.gov.
Even healthy people may experience irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath during times of heavy dust. The symptoms should fade once you remove yourself from the area or the air quality improves.
"If you notice difficulty breathing, wheezing or tightness in the chest, or if your inhaler isn't helping like it should, don't wait for symptoms to worsen," Gurevich said. "Seek medical care right away. The longer you wait, the harder and more dangerous it is to treat."
If you're not sure, the American Lung Association's Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer any questions about the lungs, lung disease and lung health, including how to protect yourself during days of poor air quality.
Particle pollution is ranked based on the size of particulate matter (PM) — a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets — in the air, according to the EPA. It's also called particle pollution. Particle pollution is ranked as:
PM10: Inhalable particles with diameters generally 10 micrometers and smaller
PM2.5: Fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller. That's 30x smaller than the diameter of the average human hair.
The microscopic solids and droplets can get into the lungs and possibly the bloodstrea
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Saharan dust to sweep over Florida. Here's how to protect your airways
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