Houston residents can expect another round of Saharan dust later this week, which may affect air quality. Each summer, dust from the Sahara Desert is carried across the Atlantic Ocean. According to KHOU, last year’s Saharan dust arrived at the end of June. The fine particles, known as PM2.5, travel over 5,000 miles, passing the Caribbean to reach the Gulf Coast and sometimes further inland.
The highest dust levels are expected over Florida and the Bahamas, but southeast Texas may also be affected. The dust can reduce hurricane formation but can also increase fine particles in the air, raising the Air Quality Index. This may cause coughing, throat irritation, and worsen symptoms for people with respiratory conditions or allergies, as reported by KHOU. Young children, the elderly, and other sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activities and use air purifiers on high-dust days.
Dr. Jennifer Ukwu, a primary care physician, told ABC13 Meteorologist Elyse Smith that while Saharan dust usually does not cause new health problems, "it could further agitate the symptoms of those with existing health concerns such as asthma, allergies, or underlying lung conditions." She also said to "Keep an eye on the air quality levels to exercise additional precautions to kind of minimize their triggers for you know, worsening coughing, sneezing, runny nose, things of that nature." This is the first significant Saharan dust event of the year for the Gulf Coast, and dust may continue to travel across the Atlantic and Caribbean throughout the month due to the West African Monsoon and trade winds. Residents should follow local weather and health updates for information on air quality and health advisories.
