Romania will be located these days under a cloud of Saharan dust, the National Meteorological Administration announced. However, say the specialists, compared to other years, this time it is very likely that the particles do not deposit on the ground and surfaces, but to remain suspended in the air. An additional reason to take precautionary measures.
Saharian dust exacerbates already existing respiratory disorders. Archive
Until March 13, the south-western air circulation will favor the advance from northern Africa of an air mass loaded with dust particles of Saharan origin to south-east Europe and above Romania starting on Tuesday (March 11). Meteorologists say that dust deposits will be seen in the west and center of the country, then in the south and southeast, but only if it rains.
Silviu Gurlui, university professor within the Faculty of Physics in Iași. Personal archive
Physicist: The highest concentration will be recorded in the east of the country ”
Silviu Gurlui, professor of physics at the University of Iași, explained that during this period the entire territory of Romania will be swept by the Saharan dust, but the highest concentration will be found in the eastern part of the country, in Moldova. “He awaits us two days loaded with Saharan dust, starting today afternoon and especially tomorrow, continuing until Wednesday. The highest concentration will cover the east of the country, including Moldova. But the whole country will practically be swept from west to east ”said the specialist. “This will be able to influence the temperature of the atmosphere, he will heat the atmosphere. Indirectly, the pollution will increase on the ground by the effect of induced thermal inversion. We are unlikely to have high soil pollution with Saharan dust as a classic pollution, pressed to the ground by this effect of heating the atmosphere. The probability of having rainfall in this period seems very low, for this reason, “pouring” dust over the ground/vegetation, cars are unlikely to leave that disgusting image, brown/orange layer “, the expert continues.
The Saharan dust cloud will hit Romania on Tuesday, March 11
He said that the phenomenon is not a worrying one, to scare or produce panic. Additional precautionary measures should only take allergic people. “Apparently, we don’t have to worry. It depends on where the dust is “leap” and what are the industrial materials left behind: particles resulting from degraded waste, fragments, decomposed materials, organisms worn in the air and what trajectories travel formed aerosols that can hang, over long distances, other pollutants. For the allergic, be careful! Hygiene measures are especially to be taken into account for allergies ”.
“Saharian dust could aggravate the symptoms of chronic respiratory disorders”
Dr. Beatrice Mahler, pneumologist at the “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumophysiology in the Capital, explained for “Adevărul” that, indeed, exposed to a certain risk are people suffering from certain chronic respiratory disorders or allergies. “Saharian dust changes to some extent the quality of the air and induces a local irritation at the level of the airways. This effect is felt especially by people who are affected by chronic respiratory diseases or allergies. Consequence? These patients may have manifestations of basic diseases. That is, to sneeze, to cough, to require an additional dose of medication from the one I usually use ”said the doctor. These symptoms, Dr. Mahler continues, can be more or less disturbing. “As long as the movement of the wind is present, the effect on the airways is somewhat diminished. It depends a lot on the atmospheric conditions that will be present in the coming days, on the ceiling of clouds that reduce the movement of the air, the rain that makes the saucharian dust in the atmosphere and other surfaces. “.
Beatrice Mahler, pneumologist. Archive
The protective mask is useless
However, if a healthy person should not worry, in the case of a chronic patient there are a number of protective measures, explains the pneumologist. “In the case of a healthy person, the body has the ability to protect itself. Activates certain protective mechanisms. What we need to do to help is to hydrate properly and wash the mucous membranes as often as possible. Specifically, let’s clean our nose with seawater solution, wash our face when we arrive in the house, after spending a day outdoors. “
The protective mask, says the specialist, will not prevent us from inhaling dust particles because they are in small and extremely fine quantity. “Recommended it would be to wear only if the air became very busy, if the dust were visible in the atmosphere. Which, for now, is not the case. Of course, the mask can be recommended for people who are already known with chronic lung disease, but otherwise I have to tell you that it does not help much. “
Isolation in the house is not recommended, Dr. Mahler continues. “It’s an extreme measure and I don’t think that’s the case. Of course, if the atmosphere becomes loaded, then yes, we stay in the house, do not open the windows, use air filtration devices in the house. But this is not the case now ”.
Why should we breathe as much as possible on your nose
However, the doctor continues, we can stay in other ways. “What is not recommended these days, when the Saharan dust exists in high concentration in the air, is to do outdoor activities, intense activities. The reason? With the breathing alert, the amount of vitiated air we inhale increases automatically. “
Dr. Beatrice Mahler said that a real help could be the way we breathe. “It should be known that a breathing on the nose can prevent dust particles from entering the body. The nose is a very good filter through those existing perisons, but the mucus also plays an extremely important role because it moistens and retains the dust. The body has very good defense mechanisms in the nose to be used ”.
The doctor told us that the situation should not be alarmed, because there is no risk of getting sick. “Saharian dust is present in the air that we breathe only two, three days a year. At least these have been the warnings so far. It’s a very short time and we shouldn’t worry. Unfortunately, there are other pollutants that act and can cause a connection between chronic diseases and their presence in the atmospheric air. I don’t think Saharian dust can be incriminated. I think it is just a moment that can cause the exacerbation of some chronic diseases. It can produce a discomfort, but not more than that. “
From Wednesday night to Thursday (March 12/13), the air mass loaded with Saharian dust particles will be removed from our country.
