{"id":84527,"date":"2024-02-20T14:34:57","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T18:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carilec.org\/?p=84527"},"modified":"2024-02-20T14:34:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T18:34:57","slug":"carpha-take-action-to-avoid-the-harmful-effects-of-saharan-dust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carilec.org\/carpha-take-action-to-avoid-the-harmful-effects-of-saharan-dust\/","title":{"rendered":"CARPHA: Take Action to Avoid the Harmful Effects of Saharan Dust"},"content":{"rendered":"

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. 10 February, 2024.\u00a0<\/strong>The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is urging persons to protect themselves against adverse health effects of a Saharan dust plume, which has covered many parts of the Caribbean.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Caribbean Institute\u00a0for\u00a0Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in a Dust Bulletin dated February 9th, 2024 stated, \u201cit is highly likely that particulate matter levels will be above the 24-hour outdoor air quality guidelines\u201d as established by the\u00a0World\u00a0Health Organization (WHO).<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Joy St John, Executive Director, CARPHA, explained \u201cSaharan dust worsens air quality and increases the levels of particulate matter\u00a0<\/a>in the air. This can be hazardous, especially to small children, older adults and people with underlying lung conditions and chronic cardiopulmonary diseases\u201d. Dr St John added, \u201cSaharan dust can also worsen the health symptoms of those who suffer from asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

In light of the poor air quality levels, CARPHA is encouraging persons to take steps to avoid the harmful effects of Saharan dust. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n