On Sunday, air quality will be degraded in several departments of France due to the arrival of a cloud of sand from the Sahara desert.
This air mass, rich in desert particles, will increase the concentrations of PM10 particles in the territory, particularly in the Occitanie region, warns Atmo, the air quality observatory in France.
Tomorrow April 7, 2024, episode of #pollution in #occitanie Dept 09-31-32-65-66 https://t.co/5RpP4lYbHf pic.twitter.com/HDWz2QLrSl
— Atmo OCCITANIE (@Atmo_oc) April 6, 2024
The air quality index was described as “poor” for this Sunday in the departments of Haute-Garonne, Gers, Ariège, Pyrénées-Orientales and Hautes-Pyrénées, triggering the implementation implementation of an information procedure aimed at the most vulnerable people.
“On Sunday, the arrival of an air mass loaded with desert particles will lead to an increase in suspended particles over part of the region,” indicates Atmo Occitanie. The concentration levels will thus exceed the threshold which makes it possible to qualify an episode of pollution by suspended particles.
“The Pyrenees massif should be particularly impacted by this increase in particle concentrations,” specifies the organization. The pollution episode could continue throughout Monday.
Other departments concerned
In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Rhône-Alpes, yellow vigilance is activated in Ardèche, Cantal, Drôme, Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Isère, Savoie and Haute-Savoie. According to Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Rhône-Alpes, “the region’s reliefs could be impacted by concentrations of PM10 particles greater than 50 micrograms/m3, even if the precise fallout is still difficult to quantify”.
Associated with the allergic risk linked to pollen, high in the region, these particles can create discomfort for sensitive people, warns the organization.
Read alsoHeat stroke and Sahara sands: red alert for allergy sufferers
AtmoSud, the air quality observatory in the South Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, predicts a limited impact of concentrations of fine particles on air quality because the mass of air coming from the Sahara should bypass the region from the northwest. On the other hand, ozone concentrations will give “average” to “degraded” indices over a major part of the territory.
In Île-de-France, particle levels will increase due to the passage of the dust cloud from the Sahara but rain in the afternoon on Sunday will limit its impact. “Air quality will be
average to poor
in the region,” specifies Airparif, which monitors air quality in the Paris region.
Finally, the air quality index will also be degraded on Sunday in the south of the Grand Est region due to ozone concentrations. “The presence of Saharan dust in our sky could also lead to an increase in concentrations of PM10 particles,” indicates Atmo Grand-Est.
Limit sporting activities
During these episodes of pollution, it is recommended to avoid ventilating your home and practicing intense physical activity outdoors and indoors. Particularly for sensitive or vulnerable people, that is to say those whose bronchi are fragile (infants, young children, pregnant women, people with asthma, those over 65, etc.).
“Another piece of advice is that those most at risk can wear a mask (FFP1 type) when going out, which can filter up to 80% of particles. Wearing glasses can also be a solution if you have irritated eyes, indicates Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist and president of the Santé respiratory France association, in Le Parisien. He also advises blowing your nose and washing your hands and face after a walk outside “to remove the last embedded dust”.