Tips to Keep Yourself Safe from Saharan Dust Pollution

A thick, amber cloud of Saharan dust has crossed the Atlantic and settled over parts of the southern and eastern United States. The phenomenon, part of the seasonal Saharan Air Layer, brings a blanket of sand, dirt and dry air from North Africa and many times can go unnoticed, except for the vibrant color of the sky. But as the dust clouds get denser each year, we are reminded of how drastic weather patterns and climate disruptions can impact people’s health, even from hundreds of miles away.

Whether you can see it or not, particulate matter is not good for your lungs. Residents of Florida, Georgia, Alabama and beyond have noticed a sharp dip in air quality due to spikes of PM_10, which is larger particulate matter, and PM_2.5, which is finer and very harmful to health. Though people with chronic lung disease are at higher risk for developing complications from the Saharan dust storm, everyone has the potential to experience symptoms related to dust exposure.

The Environmental Protection Agency has also previously warned that hotter, drier conditions, driven by climate change, increase extreme weather events like wildfires, ozone spikes and dust storms. In this way, Saharan dust in the skies becomes a symptom of a global warming and a call to action.

Health Risk of Breathing in Saharan Dust

Saharan dust particles are very small, which makes them easy to inhale into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream. People living with chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), children and older adults are particularly vulnerable to the dust’s negative health effects. However, everyone has the potential to experience respiratory symptoms related to dust exposure.

Karen, who has lived in Melbourne, Florida for over 50 years, has dealt with poor air quality caused by Saharan dust over the years, though she notes the last few years have been particularly bad. “The sky just looks kind of hazy and there looks to be dirt coating anything outside, like my car, but I don’t really think much of it until I become short of breath,” she said.

Since Karen has COPD, she is particularly affected by the dust and dirt in the air. “I have managed my COPD for many years, and I have an action plan and rescue medication to deal with my symptoms, but it’s becoming an annual thing,” she explained. For Karen, poor air quality means she cannot go out to lunch with her friends or go grocery shopping without putting herself at risk. During these high-risk days, she also has to “use my rescue inhaler more frequently, and I need to wear a mask when I go outside.”

“Everyone is breathing horrible air these days,” Karen exclaimed.

5 Tips to Protect Yourself During High Dust Days

1. Stay indoors on high dust days: Limiting outdoor activity is the best way to reduce your exposure to Saharan dust, so on high dust days avoid exercising outdoors. Keep all doors and windows closed and bring pets indoors. You can use air conditioners on the recirculation setting to ensure that outside air will not be moved into the room and clean air will circulate through the air conditioners and air cleaners. If you must leave your house, close car windows and vents when driving through high dust areas. Air conditioning should be set to recirculate to avoid exposure to outside air.
2. Wear a high-quality mask: No matter the type of mask, it should fit snugly against the face, covering the mouth, nose and chin. The most effective masks are new, well-fitted N-95 or KN95 medical masks which can filter out damaging fine particles on high dust days.
3. Use a HEPA air filter: “If you're in a high dust area or have seen higher concentrations locally, something like a HEPA filter or an additional air filtration in your indoor space might be something to consider,” Dr. Meredith McCormack, Associate Professor of Medicine & Medical Director of Pulmonary Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, commented.  
4. Monitor symptoms: Dust particles can linger in the air for up to 10 days. If you have been exposed, monitor your and loved ones’ respiratory symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms. Symptoms may include coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, and itchy, watery eyes or nose.
5. Contact your healthcare provider: Karen is a great example of the importance of working closely with your healthcare team. If she has any flare-ups, she immediately contacts her doctor to discuss what to do, while following her COPD Action Plan. The Lung Association’s Lung Helpline is another free resource available to everyone. Staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists, the HelpLine can answer any questions about lung disease and lung health, including how to protect your lungs from dust storms.

Check out other clean air resources on our website.