The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the HydroMet Service are advising the public that air quality monitoring has determined a moderate concentration of Sahara dust which is present in the atmosphere over several parts of Guyana and it is expected to increase.

The increase in concentrations of particulate matter is due to the significant amounts of dust travelling across the northern tropical Atlantic to the Caribbean from the Sahara region, commonly known as the Sahara Dust Phenomenon or the Saharan Air Layer.

For its part, the EPA is advising persons to wear face masks and limit their time outdoors to avoid coming into contact with particles of the Sahara dust which can lead to respiratory ailments.

Guyana is currently experiencing the impact of the Sahara dust which has been noticeable in and around the city since late yesterday.

“The EPA wishes to advise that particles in the Sahara dust could potentially cause a dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, itchy or water eyes, sneezing etc. Children, the elderly and persons with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular illness are most vulnerable. The public is advised to limit their time spent outdoors and wear appropriate dust masks as far as practicable,” the EPA said in an advisory.

The EPA said there is a current development of a visible haze around the East Bank and and East Coast Demerara regions. 

The agency’s air quality sensors have detected a significantly high air quality index which signifies poor air quality conditions mainly due to a high concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere due to the Sahara dust and high humidity. 

The EPA said it will advise when the situation returns to normalcy.

Plumes of Saharan dust is blown from the African continent and travel westward across the Atlantic Ocean, regularly reaching and often settling over the Americas.

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