African dust in Kalamata: Spooky images with the sky turning orange

The atmosphere is full of particles from the Sahara and Kalamata looks like it has been transported to the desert

The African dust from the Sahara desert created eerie images in Kalamata on Tuesday afternoon.

Photos and videos from Kalamata taken from noon onwards show an eerie orange atmosphere that we’ve seen in pictures of NASA from the planet Mars. Residents and visitors to the city post images on social mediaall of which show an orange sky, hazy atmosphere and extremely limited visibility.

The Hellenic Pulmonology Society (HPE) with its announcement points out that African dust carries particles in a wide range of sizes, such as PM10, PM2.5 or even much smaller, while it can also it also drags pollutants from the atmosphere. An increase in particulate matter in the atmosphere may worsen respiratory diseases 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. As also mentioned, ispecial attention is required from residents of urban centers and areas with already low air quality.

African dust takes its toll in respiratory, in allergies and irritations, in the heart, in the immune system but also in the long term in our health. 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.

It is important that citizens, and especially those with respiratory problems, take precautions during periods of increased levels of African dust.

The Pulmonary Society guidelines on African dust

• 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.
• Patients with asthma they may need to increase the dosage or frequency of inhaled medications based on the control plan their doctor has recommended to reduce symptoms. It is pointed out that at this stage special attention is recommended to asthmatics, due to spring allergies.
• Patients with COPD they may need to increase palliative care with inhaled medications.