06/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/28/2024 09:33
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX-The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reports that a moderate plume of Saharan dust may arrive as early as Friday afternoon over portions of the lower Coastal Bend, enhancing the concentration of inhalable particles. The effect is expected to last through this weekend.
The Saharan Air Layer is a mass of dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert. During the peak period of late June to mid-August, dust is blown out of Africa and into the North Atlantic Ocean every three to five days.
Impact on Public Health
The presence of the Saharan Air Layer can pose various health risks, especially for vulnerable individuals such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or allergies. The dust particles are very fine and can penetrate the respiratory system, potentially causing or exacerbating respiratory problems. The dust may carry allergens and irritants, triggering allergic reactions and respiratory discomfort in sensitive individuals.
During a Saharan Air Layer event:
For more information, visit:
www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/real-time/sal/salmain.php?&prod=split&time=
For media inquiries, contact Public Information Officer Cassandra Hinojosa at 361-826-2944 or [email protected].