TTMS: Saharan Dust Is Back

Have you noticed the hazy skies today? After the very rainy weekend, Saharan Dust is moving across the Eastern Caribbean, with higher concentrations favouring Northern Trinidad and Tobago.

According to the Environmental Management Agency’s Air Quality Index Monitoring System, air quality levels in Port of Spain, after midnight through 4:00 AM, reached levels that were “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” This meant that sensitive groups, such as people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teenagers, may have experienced health effects, including coughing or shortness of breath.

By Monday morning, air quality returned to moderate levels across T&T with minimum visibility at 7 kilometres at Piarco. At moderate levels, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. These sensitive groups should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service stated on their social media pages that “Saharan dust is expected to maintain a presence over the next few days, however, concentrations will be decreasing and will likely be minimal by Wednesday.”

Reporter: Kalain Hosein