The Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands register the arrival of African air masses with dust concentrations
According to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, masses of African air with varying concentrations of surface dust are expected to reach the Canary Islands and the Iberian Peninsula on Wednesday. Health authorities in different provinces have recommended avoiding outdoor physical exercise or activities that require effort, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick.
260224_Julio Díaz_polvo
Julio Díaz
Research professor and co-director of the Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and the Urban Environment at the Carlos III Health Institute
The problem will not only be the increase in PM (particulate matter) concentration, but also the increase in NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) concentration.
PM comes from both natural and anthropogenic sources, such as vehicle emissions in Madrid. If increases in natural PM and NO2 are expected, the main source of which in cities is traffic, perhaps the recommendations should go beyond limiting outdoor activities and consider traffic restrictions if the health of citizens is to be protected.
