African dust: Which of our fellow citizens should not “go out today” – What Nikos Tzanakis says – Newsbomb – News

The African dust that has “covered” much of the country in recent hours is extremely dangerous and harmful to the respiratory system, with experts sounding the alarm.

Professor of Pulmonology at the University of Crete, Vice-President of the Hellenic Pulmonology Society, spoke to Newsbomb.gr about the risks to the health of citizens. Nikos Tzanakis.

According to him: “Those who suffer from lung diseases, and heart diseases they should closely follow the instructions of their treatments. Contact their doctor if they feel unwell. Do not go out unless necessary. They should also wear a 95% protection mask. Similar phenomena with African dust in our country were also noted in March 2018 when we had repeated such episodes”.

And he added: “In simple words, we should repeat that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and those with severe heart disease are at risk from this condition. When we say they are in danger, we mean that they end up in the hospital and from there on they may possibly make things difficult.”

Recommendations on air pollution from the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health, following the regularly scheduled update by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (last update today at 8:00) and within the framework of its responsibilities for the protection of public health, recommends the following instructions for informing the public with precautionary measures as following:

A. Recommendations for people at increased risk

• People with respiratory problems
• Heart patients
• children as well
• people over 65 years old

they should avoid any physical exercise-activity outdoors.

It is also recommended to avoid staying outdoors, especially in areas with increased traffic.

• People with asthma may need more frequent inhalations of reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to contact the attending physician.

B. Recommendations to the general population

Every person is advised to avoid any physical exercise outdoors and to limit the time spent outdoors especially in areas with increased traffic. During his stay indoors, doors, balcony doors and windows should be kept closed.

African dust: How it will move in Greece

According to what is presented by the National Observatory of Athens and the meteo service, the African dust is starting to move to the east, “relieving” the atmosphere from large quantities. In fact, already this morning the situation seems to be improving as, according to the data, its intensity has subsided.

The following maps show the course that the African dust will follow during today’s day. The maps are for 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm. and 9:00 p.m.

Detailed weather forecast

Clouds are expected throughout the country. Rains will occur mainly in the western, central and northern parts. Storms are expected in the west and especially in the northwest where the effects will be more intense and may be accompanied by hail.

The temperature will vary in Western Macedonia from 6 to 16 degrees, in the rest of Macedonia from 12 to 19, in Thrace from 14 to 25-26 degrees, in Western Greece from 14 to 27-29, in Thessaly from 13 to 23-24 degrees , in the rest of the mainland from 15 to 25-27 degrees, in the Ionian Islands from 16 to 26 and in the island parts of the Aegean from 15 to 25 degrees, but in the Eastern Aegean the maximum will reach 27-29 degrees and in Crete 32-33 Celsius degrees.

The winds in the seas will blow from southeast directions with intensities that will generally reach 6 Beaufort, while in the South Ionian, wind intensities of up to 7 Beaufort are expected locally and in the South and Eastern Aegean 7-8 Beaufort locally. Progressively, the winds in the Ionian Sea will turn to the northwest with intensities of 5-6 Beaufort.

Attica

In Attica, we expect clouds, with the possibility of temporary light rains. Dust concentrations in the atmosphere will be relatively high. The winds will blow southeast with intensities of 4-5 Beaufort, turning in the evening to west-northwest with the same intensities. The temperature will range from 17 to 25 degrees.

Thessaloniki

In Thessaloniki we expect rains at times and relatively increased concentrations of dust. Winds will blow from changing directions with intensities of 3-4 Beaufort. The temperature will range from 13 to 19 degrees.