Health

Saharan dust cloud engulfing UK could trigger deadly asthma attacks, experts warn


A SAHARAN dust cloud which has blown in across the UK today could trigger deadly asthma attacks, experts have warned.

Most of the country woke up to a hazy red sunrise as the sky was blanketed in a dense wave of dust after a weekend of scorching temperatures.

 Saharan dust is making the sky look more red than usual, pictured here the Thames in Gravesend, Kent

WENN

Saharan dust is making the sky look more red than usual, pictured here the Thames in Gravesend, Kent

But while it made for a pretty landscape this morning, the cloud of dirty air could pose a risk to those with asthma as it lingers today.

Experts are urging those with respiratory problems to stay indoors and be aware that the dust cloud could worsen their symptoms, including shortness of breath and wheezing.

Weather conditions such as dust, air pollution, thunderstorms and plunging temperatures can all trigger an attack.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued a high air pollution warning for three regions today – London, the South East and Yorkshire & Humberside.

What is Saharan dust and how does it get to the UK?

As in other parts of the world, the wind can blow strongly over deserts – whipping up dust and sand high into the sky. If the winds in the upper part of the atmosphere are blowing north, the dust can be carried as far as the UK.

Once it is lifted from the ground by strong winds, clouds of dust can reach very high altitudes and be transported worldwide, covering thousands of miles.

In order for the dust to get from up in the sky down to the ground, you need something to wash it out of the sky – rain.  As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down. Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust.

Saharan dust is relatively common in the UK often happening several times a year when big dust storms in the Sahara coincide with southerly wind patterns.  In certain weather situations, Saharan dust can also affect air pollution and pollution levels.

Source: Met Office UK

Those with lung and heart problems, and older people, in those areas are being warned to reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors.

And anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or a sore throat, should also consider reducing outdoor activities.

Defra’s Dr Andy Whittamore,  clinical lead at Asthma UK, said: “Saharan dust could pose a serious risk to the 5.4million people in the UK with asthma.

“Dust and other types of air pollution are a well-known trigger for people with asthma.

 A weather map shows moderate to high levels of air pollution as a Saharan dust cloud moves into the UK

Twitter/Netweather.tv

A weather map shows moderate to high levels of air pollution as a Saharan dust cloud moves into the UK
 A NASA satellite captured this image of the Saharan dust being pushed across the Mediterranean into Europe

NASA WorldView

A NASA satellite captured this image of the Saharan dust being pushed across the Mediterranean into Europe

 

“Toxic air can leave people struggling for breath and can cause wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and even a life-threatening asthma attack.

“People with asthma must make sure they carry their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with them at all times in case their symptoms worsen.

“We also advise people with asthma to continue to manage their condition with their preventer inhaler (usually brown) as this will help to reduce the inflammation in their airways and make them less likely to react to asthma triggers. “

According to Asthma UK, just under two thirds of people with the condition report that poor air quality makes their symptoms worse.

Red sun

The Met Office says that winds from the south have drawn up the air from the Sahara over the last week, reaching the British Isles today.

Forecaster Bonnie Diamond said: “Dust from the Sahara has been carried across the UK from a south easterly direction.

“It’s not uncommon for Saharan dust to reach the UK. How that can affect us is it can cause sunrises and sunsets to look red.

“When it rains, as it did in the south west and west this morning, that can bring the dust down to the surface and people might notice it on their windscreens.”

A LUNG CONDITION THAT CAUSES BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also appear for the first time in adults.

It is caused by inflammation of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

This inflammation makes the breathing tubes highly sensitive, so they temporarily become narrow.

This may occur randomly, or after exposure to a trigger like dust, pollen, smoke and even exercise.

Symptoms:

The main symptoms include

  • wheezing
  • breathlessness
  • a tight chest
  • coughing

Symptoms can sometimes get temporarily worse, this is known as an asthma attack.

Treatment

There is no known cure for asthma but the symptoms can be managed with a number of treatments.

Most asthma treatments are taken using an inhaler, a small device that delivers a spray or powder medicine to your breathing tubes as you breathe in.

The main treatments are:

  • avoiding potential triggers
  • reliever inhalers – inhalers used when needed to quickly relieve asthma symptoms for a short time
  • preventer inhalers – inhalers used every day to reduce the inflammation in the breathing tubes

Source: NHS Choices

She explained that the dust will linger in the atmosphere for the rest of the day, meaning Brits may see a red sunset this evening.

But the warm and sunny conditions over the past week are set to change as a new weather system moves in, bringing rain and thunderstorms for much of the country.

If you notice your symptoms getting worse you should speak to a GP.

It is not the first time a cloud of red dust has hovered over the UK.

In October 2017, Saharan dust was whipped up by Hurricane Ophelia and before that, a similar dust storm occurred in April 2014.

For advice on pollution and asthma, and how to check the pollution forecast in your area, visit the Asthma UK website.

 An orange sky as the sun rises in Newcastle Upon Tyne today

Alamy Live News

An orange sky as the sun rises in Newcastle Upon Tyne today
 People woke up to a red sunrise across most parts of the UK today

WENN

People woke up to a red sunrise across most parts of the UK today
 A social media user captured this sunrise in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, this morning

twitter/VisitUpperEden

A social media user captured this sunrise in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, this morning
Spokesman for Asthma UK advises suffers to stay inside as Saharan dust


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