How Sandstorms Affect Ecosystem?

By: Dr Magdy Badran , Pediatric Consultant

CAIRO, Jan. 18 (SEE)- A heavy sandstorm hit the country last Sunday with its peak on Wednesday and Cairo turned orange as the sandstorm swept it.

Egypt lies within a broad band of dust-producing area that extends from northwestern Africa eastward to Mongolia. Outside of the Nile River Valley, Egypt’s land surface is a vast desert plateau rich in Saharan sand. The Western Desert covers an area of some 700,000 km2, accounting for around two-thirds of Egypt's total land area.

Up to five billion tons of dust blows around the earth each year. Desertification caused by human activities and climate open new arid territories and grounds for the formation of dust storms.

Dust storms are defined as events in which visibility is reduced to 1 km or less as a result of blowing dust. A dust storm is characterized by strong winds and dust-filled air over an extensive area. The particles in a dust storm are smaller in size than particles in a sandstorm and can be launched higher and farther. Particles of sand in a sandstorm are larger than dust particles, not launched far and fall out of the air faster.

Sand and dust storms have an increasing impact on the environment and the economy. Dust storms reduce air quality and visibility, and may have adverse effects on health, particularly for people who already have breathing-related problems.

Dust particles vary in size from coarse (non-inhalable), to fine (inhalable), to very fine (respirable). Coarse dust particles generally only reach as far as the inside of the nose, mouth or throat. Smaller or fine particles, however, can get much deeper into the sensitive regions of the respiratory tract and lungs. These smaller dust particles have a greater potential to cause serious harm to your health.

Air quality is a global public health issue. Around 91% of the world’s population live in areas where the WHO’s fine particle ( PM2.5 ) guidelines are not met. Dust storms formed in the desert can travel long distances and affect areas that are not naturally arid, causing allergic reactions and a variety of health problems, such as itchy or burning eyes, throat irritation, runny nose and bronchitis.

Dust storms are also transporters of microorganisms, some of which are highly pathogenic to humans. Microorganisms are natural inhabitants of top surface soils and sands and include bacteria, fungi, fungal spores and viruses.Dust particles cause abrasion to the nasopharyngeal mucosa in humans and thus promote microbial infections on inhalation.

Dust in closed spaces contains small amounts of plant pollen, molds, some combination of shed bits of human skin, animal fur, decomposing insects, food debris, lint and organic fibers from clothes, bedding and other fabrics, tracked-in soil, soot, particulate matter from smoking and cooking, lead, arsenic , even DDT and many other materials which may be found in the local environment. The majority of household dust — about 60% — comes from outside, through windows, doors, vents and significantly on the soles of your shoes.

Dust mites are the most common cause of allergy from house dust. The more dust you have, the more dust mites you have. Dust mite particles are often found in pillows, mattresses, carpeting and upholstered furniture. They float into the air when anyone vacuums, walks on a carpet or disturbs bedding and they settle once the disturbance is over.

Fine dust particles are usually too small to see inpidually but high concentrations make them visible as a brown haze. Even as the dust begins to clear, the unseen fine particles outside or even inside your house can still present a health risk.

People who may be more vulnerable than others are: infants, children and adolescents, the elderly, people with respiratory conditions, people with heart disease and people with diabetes. For these people, exposure to a dust storm may trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks, cause serious breathing-related problems, contribute to cardiovascular or heart disease.

The following precautions can minimize the adverse effects of a dust storm: stay indoors, with windows and doors closed, avoid outdoor activity, if you must go outside, spend as little time outside as possible, and cover your nose and mouth with a mask or damp cloth to reduce exposure to dust particles.

Avoid vigorous exercise, especially if you have asthma, diabetes or a breathing-related condition. If you are an asthmatic or have a respiratory condition follow your prescribed treatment plan. If symptoms do not settle, seek medical advice.

Always maintain good personal hygiene. Wash your hands frequently to remove dirt, dust, dangerous chemicals and microorganisms. Gargle and inhale warm steam several times daily. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing or sterilizing your hands.

Wash your hair at night since allergens can be trapped in the hair. Wipe surfaces with dry wipes first then warm soapy water. Wash clothes, bed sheets, bathroom rugs and shower curtains in hot water. Change clothes as soon as you arrive back home.