Bad air quality will affect Spain after their sky turned orange thanks to the Saharan dust storm. Authorities have issued warnings regarding the bad air quality for the capital city. Other cities from the southeast coast have been catalogued as “hazardous” by the air quality index in Spain.
This dust storms are not new to the country and were expected by the CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), because during the month of January, the Canary Islands were hit by another dust storm originated in the Sahara Desert. The CAMS forecasts the movement of the dust storm and the particulate matter concentrations as it moves from the Sahara to the Canary Islands.
Recommendations from the authorities in the most affected areas are to use face mask if they step outside, but to avoid going outside or staying for extended periods of time. Leaving your home and breathing the desert dust in the air will lead to exposure to toxic biological particles and allergens that may contribute to chronic pulmonary diseases.
Authorities may minimise health risks and alert residents by accurately forecasting the movement and density of dust. This storm from Africa delivered a much-needed rain and a wave of hot air which affected the air quality in Madrid pushing temperatures in some places up to 20°. There is no confirmation that the rain and the sandstorm had direct correlation, but in some parts of Spain both combined and seem like it was raining mud.
Desert dust is a natural source of particulate matter that degrades air quality. During the Saharan dust events, people who suffer from asthma and respiratory illnesses are more likely to be hospitalised. As it settles, the dust tends to worsen allergies and reduces the air quality in the atmosphere.
While many see spectacular sunsets and the beautiful sight of orange skies and a layer of sand in your cars, terrace and roofs, others are afraid of air pollution spiking in Europe. In 2021 a cloud of sand from Algeria reached cities like Barcelona, Lyon, and Marseille, which measured levels of particles smaller than 10 microns (PM 10). Particles this small can enter your lungs, causing breathing difficulties and other health issues. These outbreaks of Saharan dust in Spain will degrade, severely, the air quality.
Millions of people across Europe suffer from allergies and respiratory diseases, and if you also add the dust storms and the bad air quality it brings to the European cities, then we are entering a stage where clean indoor air is a necessity and should be available to everyone. One of the easiest ways we can protect ourselves from pollution is with air purifiers. These devices will help you maintain clean indoor air for your business and home. They eliminate indoor air pollution and the health risks that come with it.
Having a safe working space is not only important for the owner, but it is also important for the employees, customers, and potential investors. By investing in a AIR8 HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) medical-grade air purifier, you will not only be able to filter allergens and pollutants, but viruses and tiny airborne particles found in dust storms. Stop watching the beautiful orange skies and start worrying about your health and indoor quality air.
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