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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA massive dust cloud is barreling toward the U.S. The health impacts could be deadly.
A massive plume of dust from the Sahara Desert is drifting across the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to blanket parts of the Southeastern United States this week.
The enormous dust cloud which some experts say could be the biggest and most intense Saharan plume in 50 years could aggravate health problems, including asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and make visibility difficult on the ground.
"Dust particles are what we call particulate matter, and we know that breathing in fine particles of anything is not good for the respiratory tract especially people who are sensitive to poor air quality," said Thomas Gill, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The added dust pollution may be particularly problematic in light of the coronavirus pandemic, because COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is a respiratory illness.
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GreatCaesarsGhost
(8,585 posts)Hock_Mir_Keyn_Chinek
(51 posts)marybourg
(12,634 posts)Everyone should have them by now.
Hock_Mir_Keyn_Chinek
(51 posts)impacting the same population currently experiencing a Covid surge. how could that become a problem??
malaise
(269,157 posts)but we walked Monday, yesterday and today. Our walking venue takes our temperatures while we are in our cars and you have to wear a mask. Persons with severe allergies or respiratory issues need to be cautious, but it hasn't bothered anyone in our walking group.
Should be around for a few more days - hopefully we'll get some rain in a few days
BComplex
(8,064 posts)so I don't know if we'd have any if it wasn't raining!
malaise
(269,157 posts)I think this is heading for the gulf states - you may escape this year.
BComplex
(8,064 posts)Thanks, too, for the weather report. I hope the dust cloud doesn't come to North Carolina. It would mess up my vegetable garden!
Liberal In Texas
(13,574 posts)lettucebe
(2,336 posts)Can the planet be more clear? Wear a damned mask