A common springtime phenomenon, the Sahara dust which has blanketed the southern part of the country over the past two days has been particularly intense in the Chania area. The south-westerly winds gusting at 80 km/h and more have also brought unseasonably high temperatures, which reached 35 degrees in parts of the nomos and topped 33 degrees in Kolymbari. By the evening of Tuesday the whole area was bathed in ghostly orange light and the dust had blotted out any view of Lefka Ori. Fortunately, by Wednesday morning, the worst of the dust had abated, being carried off eastwards by strong winds during the night.

The winds hampered firefighters at the Naval Base in Souda, where a fire broke out at 8.00 am on Tuesday and destroyed a large area of the surrounding woodland before being brought under control a little after midday. Pupils at the base’s primary school were evacuated, repeating an event which had been carried out only the day before as part of the Minoas 24 earthquake exercise. Patients were also evacuated from the Naval Hospital.

The fire had developed on three different fronts and was tackled by five land-based fire crews, while tugboats in Souda Bay and a firefighting helicopter sprayed water onto the flames. Troops of the Army’s 5^th Airborne Division, which is based in Chania, were engaged in cutting back branches in the woodland to hinder the fire’s progress.

The fire can have done little to help local air quality, which was severely affected by the heavy concentrations of Sahara dust, and on Tuesday the Hellenic Thoracic Society put out a press release containing recommendations for those with respiratory problems which might be exacerbated by the dust, the text of which is as follows.

Recommendations of the Hellenic Thoracic Society

The frequency and intensity of the phenomenon of African dust can vary from year to year, from 7 to 20 episodes (the average is 13 episodes annually), according to atmospheric conditions and the amount of dust which is transported from the Sahara. Generally, it is not unusual for Greece’s territory to be affected by African dust.

This natural event can have significant effects on the health of our country’s inhabitants, especially through the downgrading of air quality. African dust contains particles ranging from PM10 down to PM2.5 [10 to 2.5 microns in diameter] and even much smaller, while it can also carry atmospheric pollutants. The increase in particles in the atmosphere can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and also allergies. People with pre-existing respiratory complaints are particularly sensitive to periods when there are increased levels of dust and this is reflected in increased hospital admissions. Special attention is needed for the inhabitants of urban centres and areas with already low air quality.

Effects on the respiratory system
One of the primary consequences of African dust is its effect on respiratory health. The small dust particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the blood stream. For people with conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exposure to the particles can worsen their symptoms, leading to breathing difficulties (dyspnoea), cough, wheezing and chest discomfort.

Allergies and inflammation
African dust can produce allergic-type reactions in certain people – inflammation of the respiratory system, nasal congestion, sneezing and running eyes. People with allergies or sensitivities to environmental factors can display increased symptoms in periods of increased dust levels.

Cardiovascular effects
Apart from respiratory problems, exposure to African dust has been connected with cardiovascular problems. The particles can contribute to inflammation, to oxidative stress and vasoconstriction, which can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases, especially in vulnerable groups.

Effects on the immune system
Extended exposure to African dust can also affect the immune system, making people more vulnerable to infections of the respiratory system and other illnesses. The inflammatory response produced by the dust particles can weaken the body’s defences and hinder its resistance to pathogenic organisms.

Long-term threats to health
Chronic exposure to African dust and its associated pollutants has been connected with long-term dangers to health, including respiratory illnesses, reduced lung capacity, cardiovascular disorders and even some kinds of cancer. Continual exposure to high levels of dust particles can have cumulative effects on health with the passage of time.

According to a 2020 survey on the effects of dust on air quality in Europe, it is estimated that 42,000 deaths a year are attributable to dust, while in the Mediterranean countries it has been estimated that 27-44 per cent of deaths related to PM10 particles are due to African dust. It is important for citizens and especially those with respiratory problems to take precautions during periods of increased levels of African dust.

Precautionary measures
The following are some guidelines which will help to minimise the effects of the phenomenon on health.
Keep informed: Follow the reports on air quality and the weather forecasts so that you know when high levels of African dust are expected.
Restrict outdoor activities: If possible, avoid spending long periods out of doors when dust levels are high, especially on windy days when the particles are most likely to be raised by the wind.
Keep doors and windows shut: Although generally houses and workplaces should be kept ventilated, in periods of high dust levels ventilate a little in the morning and then keep doors and windows closed to prevent dust particles coming in. If available, use air cleaners or filters to improve internal air quality.
Use a mask: When you go out, especially in dusty conditions, think of wearing a mask to avoid inhaling dust particles.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water

Precautions for those with respiratory diseases
In periods of high dust levels, people with pre-existing respiratory illnesses in particular are recommended to take precautions to minimise the effects on their health of exposure to dust particles. Asthma sufferers may need to increase the dose or the frequency of their inhalant medications based on the schedule recommended by their doctor to reduce their symptoms. In the current situation asthmatics are recommended to take special care because of spring allergies. Those suffering from COPD may need to increase their use of inhalants to provide relief.