High levels of air pollution due to dust from the Sahara recorded in Kyiv shutterstock

High levels of air pollution due to dust from the Sahara recorded in Kyiv

Elizaveta Volkotrub

Ukrainians were urged to close windows indoors, because dust can be harmful to children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases

High levels of air pollution have been detected in the capital. Dust from the African Sahara Desert has covered most regions of Ukraine, leading to a slight deterioration in visibility.

According to weather forecasters, the warming observed in the first days of April exceeds the climatic norm, as it is usually typical for the end of April, UP Life reports.

Warming usually comes to Ukraine from southern latitudes. This time it came from the northern regions of Africa. Along with the wind, dust particles from the desert flew to Ukraine.

"Pollination is not an abnormal phenomenon for our territory. We should not confuse pollination with a dust storm. The transfer of dust happens from time to time, but from another continent – not often. This indicates that the dust has risen to a fairly high atmospheric height and the wind has brought it to us," said weather forecaster Natalka Didenko.

Didenko said that the air quality will improve soon, as a slight cold snap and rainy weather is expected from April 3 to 5.

According to cardiologist Natalia Koshlan-Vasylyshyn, when the air is polluted, it is advisable to limit the ventilation of the room during the daytime. It is recommended to do wet cleaning in the apartment.

"You should not avoid going outside. In the evening and morning, when the air humidity is higher and the temperature is lower, you can walk the streets. If there are reports of increased wind speeds or a significant increase in temperature, it is advisable to avoid being outside," the cardiologist added.

As Ecopolitic previously reported, air pollution by PM2.5 and PM10 particles, i.e. dust, is a serious problem that aff ects human and animal health. Although such dust is a natural phenomenon, due to anthropogenic impact, more than 99.9% of people on the planet breathe air with an excessive content of PM2.5 particulate matter.

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