How dangerous is the Saharan dust that fell over Romania? The scientists’ explanation

Many Romanians had an unpleasant surprise on the morning of April 24, when they found their cars full of orange dust. In addition to these inconveniences, scientists say there may be other concerns.

Univ. Prof. Dr. Silviu Gurlui, a well-known environmental activist, spoke about this phenomenon and the effects that Saharan dust can have on the human body.

How dangerous is the Saharan dust that fell over Romania?

According to scientists, the Saharan dust made its presence felt especially in the east of Romania, where it rained in the last hours. Univ. Prof. Dr. Silviu Gurlui, a well-known environmental activist, claims that the Saharan dust fell in combination with other pollutants and that it can represent an important allergenic factor.

Saharan dust Iasi SOURCE Facebook Silviu Gurlui

“It is about a massive amount of Saharan dust, pulled from the atmosphere by water droplets, especially over a large area in the east of the country, where it has been raining for the last few hours. This Saharan dust redeposited over the vegetation, over the cars. It is a thick layer of sand, mixed with other pollutants, including potentially organic, fungi, which can get a free ticket on this trip to the north of the Sahara, but also various other bacteria. These can also be allergenic sources. So it’s good to know where other allergens come from, besides pollen. This layer also reaches the aquatic environment. When it warms, this dust will be scattered back into the atmosphere“, stated university professor. Dr. Silviu Gurlui.

DSP warns the population

The Directorate of Public Health Iași sent a series of recommendations for April 24, 2024 regarding the presence of Saharan dust at the level of Iași County.

“Considering that on 23.04.2024, according to the data of APM Iași, the general air quality index corresponding to the monitored pollutants was from good to acceptable, the measures to the population regarding the presence of Saharan dust on the territory of Iași county are addressed mainly to groups at risk: pregnant women, infants, small children, people over 65 and all people with chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary diseases or people with low immunity, serious diseases.

The measures are aimed at avoiding movement on the main traffic arteries, avoiding intense outdoor physical and sports activities, avoiding children’s recreational activities in the play spaces outside the block, kindergarten, school.

If travel has been necessary and you have reported worsening symptoms of your illness, please contact your family doctor or any emergency medical facility in the area where you areDSP Iași transmitted.