African dust is headed for the Dodecanese – What to watch out for and how to protect yourself – Detailed instructions from the Ministry of Health and the Pulmonology Society
African dust has covered the sky of Athens, Peloponnese and Crete for one more day. The specific phenomenon with the name “Minerva red” has affected the country to a very large extent as the low in the Sirte area moving towards Greece carried very large amounts of dust.
The orange veil that covered entire cities yesterday, Tuesday, created eerie images. However, even today the dust remains with the suffocating atmosphere that has been created causing air quality experts to worry, ringing the bell for public health and especially for vulnerable groups.
Recommendations from the Ministry of Health
According to the experts African dust can cause exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseso patients with respiratory problems should not be exposed for long hours outside and wear masks.
The Ministry of Healthfollowing the regular information provided by the Ministry of Environment and Energy and within the framework of its responsibilities for the protection of public health, recommends the following instructions for informing the public with precautionary measures as follows:
A. Recommendations for people at increased risk
People with respiratory problems
Heart patients
children as well
people over 65 years old
they should avoid any physical exercise-activity outdoors. It is also recommended to avoid staying outdoors, especially in areas with increased traffic.
People with asthma may need more frequent inhalations of reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to contact the attending physician.
B. Recommendations to the general population
Every person is advised to avoid any physical exercise outdoors and to limit the time spent outdoors especially in areas with increased traffic. During his stay indoors, doors, balcony doors and windows should be kept closed.
Recommendations from the Pulmonology Society
The Hellenic Pulmonology Society also draws the attention of citizens. He points out that African dust carries particles in a wide range of sizes, such as PM10, PM2.5 or even much smaller, and can also entrain pollutants from the atmosphere. An increase in particulate matter in the atmosphere can worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and allergies. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable during periods of increased dust levels and this is also reflected in increased hospital admissions.
Special attention is required for residents of urban centers and areas with already low air quality. Specifically,
Respiratory effect. One of the primary health effects of African dust is its effect on respiratory health. Fine dust particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. For people with conditions such as asthma, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exposure to these particles can worsen symptoms, leading to shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest discomfort.
Allergies and irritation. African dust can cause allergic-type reactions in some people, respiratory tract irritation, nasal congestion, sneezing and watery eyes. People with allergies or sensitivities to environmental factors may experience increased symptoms during periods of increased levels of African dust.
Cardiovascular effects. In addition to respiratory problems, exposure to African dust has been linked to cardiovascular problems. Particulate matter can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and vasoconstriction, which can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases, especially in vulnerable populations.
Effect on the immune system. Prolonged exposure to African dust can also affect the immune system, making people more vulnerable to respiratory infections and other illnesses. The inflammatory response caused by dust particles can weaken the body’s defenses and make it harder to fight pathogens.
Long-term health risks. Chronic exposure to African dust and its associated pollutants has been associated with long-term health risks, including respiratory disease, reduced lung function, cardiovascular disorders, and even some types of cancer. Continuous exposure to high levels of dust particles can have cumulative health effects over time. According to a 2020 review of the impact of dust on air quality in Europe, an estimated 42,000 deaths/year are attributed to dust, while in Mediterranean countries it has been estimated that 27-44% of the number of deaths are related to PM10 particles it is due to African dust.
For this reason it recommends:
Stay informed. Monitor air quality reports and weather forecasts to know when African dust levels are expected to be high.
Limit outdoor activities. If possible, avoid spending extended periods of time outdoors when dust levels are high, especially during windy days when particles are more likely to become airborne.
Close the windows and doors. While homes and workplaces should generally be ventilated, during African dust peak periods, ventilate a little in the morning and then keep windows and doors closed to prevent dust particles from entering your home or workplace. If you have one, use air cleaners or filters to improve indoor air quality.
Use masks. When going outside, especially in dusty conditions, consider wearing a mask to reduce inhalation of dust particles.
Stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of water.
During periods of increased dust levels, it is highly recommended that people with pre-existing respiratory conditions take precautions to minimize the health effects of exposure to dust particles.
Also, patients with asthma may need to increase the dosage or frequency of taking inhaled medications based on the control plan recommended by their doctor to reduce symptoms. It is pointed out that at this stage special attention is recommended to asthmatics, due to spring allergies.
Patients with COPD may need to increase palliative care with inhaled medications.
When will the phenomenon subside?
However, the dust is expected to subside gradually within the days. According to the prognostic data of the DUST/METEO system of the National Observatory of Athens, the prevalence of west northwest winds will result in the progressive transfer of high concentrations of dust to the Aegean, while on Thursday 25/04 high concentrations of dust will be located in the Dodecanese.
The following forecast maps from the DUST/METEO system show the dispersion of dust in the atmosphere during the midday and evening hours of Wednesday 24/04 and the morning hours of Thursday 25/04.
Spooky images in Crete, Tripoli, Kalamata
Yesterday was a particularly difficult day for most parts of the country which were enveloped in an orange cloud of dust.
The situation in many areas of the Peloponnesesuch as in Tripoli, Megalopolis, Kalamata, Zaharo, on the beach of Kourouta it was quite difficult with significant visibility problems.
Crete also “drowned” in the African dust. At the same time, the mercury in Falasarna of Chania reached 36.6 degrees Celsius, according to Meteo.
Source: Skai
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