Saharan dust turning the sky of Athens, Greece completely orange

Saharan dust turning the sky of Athens, Greece completely orange
April 23, 2024

Saharan dust is a type of particulate matter (PM) that originates in the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa. The dust is made up of particles that can be blown for thousands of miles.

Where does Saharan dust come from?
Saharan dust comes from the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa. Thunderstorms and cyclones can produce high-speed winds that lift the dust and transport it thousands of miles through the air

Saharan dust and your health

Saharan dust can be harmful to your health. The particles can be breathed in and enter your lungs and blood stream, potentially triggering asthma attacks in people who have asthma and aggravating other respiratory conditions. Saharan dust worsens air quality and increases the levels of particulate matter in the air.

How can Saharan dust affect my health?
Saharan dust can affect anyone. But like all particulate pollution, it bothers some people more than others. People most likely to experience health problems caused by exposure to Saharan dust include the following:

Children and babies
Older adults
People with underlying lung conditions
People with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases
If you have asthma, Saharan dust can make your symptoms worse. Carefully follow your asthma action plan on days when pollution levels are high.

Larger particles from Saharan dust can irritate the skin and eyes. Smaller particles from Saharan dust can be inhaled and cause respiratory disorders and cardiovascular events.

The Sahara is a desert spanning across North Africa. With an area of 9,200,000 square kilometres (3,600,000 sq mi), it is the largest hot desert in the world and the third-largest desert overall, smaller only than the deserts of Antarctica and the northern Arctic

Athens is the capital of Greece. It was also at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. The Acropolis Museum, along with the National Archaeological Museum, preserves sculptures, vases, jewelry and more from Ancient Greece