While sand and dust storms, exacerbated by the climate crisis, have become a global threat, storms can cause health problems such as heart attack or stroke, dry throat and meningitis.
According to the World Health Organization, the frequency, duration and intensity of sand and dust storms are increasing in the Eastern Mediterranean and other regions. Climate change is leading to desertification and increasing the frequency and spread of sand and dust storms. Sand and dust storms also contribute directly to air pollution by increasing the concentration of particulate matter.
On the other hand, it is estimated that 330 million people worldwide are exposed daily to wind-borne particles, which can sometimes travel thousands of kilometers from their source.
Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, Board Member of Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policies Application and Research Center, explained the connection between sand and dust storms around the world and climate change.
Recalling that the sedimentary materials that strong winds in arid and semi-arid regions usually lift into the atmosphere and carry for kilometers away are called sand and dust, Türkeş said that sand and dust storms negatively affect the climate, air, atmosphere, ecosystems, human health, agriculture, transportation and solar energy system.
Pointing out that dust transport is observed in regions where dry conditions prevail all year round, Türkeş said: “Arid and semi-arid regions, especially deserts, as well as arid and semi-arid regions around deserts are the main sources of sand and dust. Africa, parts of the Sahara and sub-Saharan Africa, the Sahel, the Gobi Desert, the Middle East and especially some deserts in the Middle East and the Arabian deserts are the regions where the most important sand and dust storms occur.” and are sources of dust.” he said.
Türkeş pointed out that long-term droughts, especially in some regions, have increased the frequency, duration and severity of sand and dust storms due to the effects of climate change, noting that in addition to the existing arid and semi-arid regions, climate change has created new areas for sand and dust storms in regions that tend to become drier and have increasingly hotter and drier conditions. Türkeş stated that these storms have a direct impact on the climate, atmosphere, weather and especially cloud and precipitation formation.
“About 25 percent of global dust emissions are caused by humans”
Stating that sand and dust storms directly and indirectly affect about 3.8 billion people, Türkeş continued:
“Approximately 25 percent of the world's dust emissions into the atmosphere are caused by humans. On a global scale, as measured by today's climate, pressure and wind systems, more than 80 percent of the global dust budget comes from North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian deserts “As the cycle shifts northward, both arid and semi-arid regions that can produce sand and dust storms, and systems that can transport dust from these regions, are more likely to be the Mediterranean, southern Europe, the Middle East East and thus affect Turkey.” Observations show that the frequency and sometimes the severity of sand and dust storms is increasing in many regions of North Africa, the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
Emphasizing that sand and dust storms also affect rainfall and water resources, Türkeş warned that these storms could affect vegetable and fruit production, flowering and pollination periods in certain periods and lead to a decline in yields.
“Measures such as rainwater harvesting must be implemented to increase soil moisture.”
Türkeş listed the measures that can be taken to prevent sand and dust storms as follows:
“First of all, the fight against climate change must be strengthened. The fight against climate change must be continued by taking into account the increasing frequency, duration and intensity of heat waves and the increasing drought effects in semi-humid areas around arid and semi-arid regions, as well as changing storm, wind and precipitation regimes. Absolute deserts, completely dry areas, arid and semi-arid regions have a very effective green belt, as in many countries in the world today. The People's Republic of China is doing a lot.” Long-term afforestation and planting works near dry and desert areas To increase soil moisture and remove fine material in the soil, sand and dust, “Measures such as rainwater harvesting, which can be a source of storms and increase soil moisture to retain fine sediments, must also be carried out.”
On the other hand, Türkeş added that given the World Meteorological Organization's predictions of daily dust production, the daily average surface dust concentration on the Mediterranean coasts and in the regions of Southeast Anatolia near the Turkish-Syrian border may reach moderate to sensitive levels on April 23.
Sand and dust storms threaten human health
Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Department of Breast Diseases, Lecturer Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Onur Turan also said that sand and dust storms have become a serious public health problem.
Recalling that industrial waste, pesticides, pollen, bacteria and fungal spores are also carried by sand and dust storms, Turan said: “While PM10 particles are retained in the dust cloud in the upper respiratory tract, particles smaller than 2.5 microns directly reach the deepest points of the lungs, namely the alveoli. From there, they can mix with the blood and have a systemic effect. Various studies have shown that respiratory diseases, Cardiovascular disease, hospitalizations, illnesses, etc. Deaths increase on days when desert dust is in the air.” he said.
Turan explained that the health effects of desert and sandstorms vary depending on the duration and intensity of exposure, and that these storms can cause health problems such as pneumonia, heart attack or stroke, severe burning in the eyes, nosebleeds, dry throat and meningitis.
Turan explained that desert and sandstorms trigger sudden attacks and crises in those with existing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recalling that studies show that asthma and COPD-related emergency visits and asthma deaths are increasing today.
“Long-term exposure to dust can lead to chronic respiratory and heart diseases.”
Turan emphasized that desert dust poses a great risk to babies, children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases:
“Chronic respiratory and heart disease can occur in people exposed to dust for long periods of time. People with chronic lung and heart disease in particular pose a significant risk. Because their lung reserves are low, even the slightest irritation can lead to a serious crisis. Children breathe in more dust because their lungs continue to develop and they breathe faster in relation to their body weight. Older people are more susceptible to complications because of their reduced immune system and organ reserves. Those in construction, agriculture or… Anyone who works in transportation and spends all day outdoors is directly exposed to this.” Dust.”
Turan pointed out that during dust storm warnings, one should not go outside, keep windows closed, use N95 or FFP2 filter masks, adding that consuming plenty of water helps keep the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract moist.
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