2024-05-11 21:28:46
On Thursday, the EODY issued special precautions against African dust for school students. What do they predict?
YIANNIS DEVETZOGLOU
As the African dust covered the sky again on Thursday and the atmosphere is burdened with dangerous particles, the EODY issued special instructions for students in schools, in case the dust remains until Monday, when the students also return from their holidays Easter.
In particular, for the protection of students in schools, EODY recommends:
Avoid and limit outdoor activities
Move the exercise class from outdoors to a suitable indoor sports hall. If this is not possible, the PE lesson can take place in the children’s regular classroom or in safe indoor school spaces.
Postpone any educational visits (eg to theatres, museums) or school trips.
Advise students to avoid physically strenuous activities such as football matches or other competitive sports during breaks, and encourage alternative activities.
Ensure good air quality in classrooms
Minimize the infiltration of outside air into indoor spaces by keeping classroom windows and doors closed as much as possible throughout the school term.
Make sure that all contact and work surfaces (e.g. tables, benches) are cleaned with a damp cloth before the start of classes.
Instruct the cleaning staff to mop the classrooms at the end of the day and wipe down all contact and work surfaces (eg tables, desks) with a damp cloth.
Who may be at risk from African dust?
According to EODY, African dust can affect anyone but the risk is greater for vulnerable groups of the population, such as:
Children and babies
People >65 years old
People with chronic respiratory diseases, mainly bronchial asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
People with chronic cardiovascular diseases
Possible symptoms from exposure to African dust
Exposure to African dust has been associated with:
Eye irritation (itching, watery eyes, tearing)
Irritation of the upper respiratory system, such as the nose and oral cavity (runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, hoarseness)
Lower respiratory tract irritation (difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent cough with or without sputum, chest pain)
Worsening of allergic reactions (redness of the skin, itching)
Also, African dust has been linked to increased visits to hospital Emergency Departments for:
Exacerbation of Bronchial Asthma
Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Acute Cardiovascular diseases
Instructions for adults
Asthma and other respiratory diseases
If you suffer from bronchial asthma, African dust can make your symptoms worse. You may need to increase the dosage or frequency of inhaled medications on days when the dust concentration is high. Follow your individualized asthma treatment plan carefully as directed by your doctor.
If you are using any medication for a respiratory illness, which includes a breathing apparatus, make sure you have it with you at all times. Use it according to your doctor’s instructions.
For mild clinical symptoms, mainly due to allergic rhinitis, common preparations to relieve allergic reactions, such as antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, can relieve your symptoms. Consult your doctor.
Cardiovascular diseases
If you suffer from cardiovascular disease, inhaling African dust can cause:
Chest pain or tightness
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Feeling of shortness of breath, suffocation or suffocation
More tired/paying than usual
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately to get the necessary care and advice. Be sure to tell your doctor if symptoms worsen or last longer than usual.
What you can do to protect yourself from African dust
Stay informed. Monitor air quality reports and weather forecasts to know when African dust levels are expected to be high.
When dust levels are high, take action:
Limit outdoor activities
Keep outdoor activities or unnecessary movement to a minimum.
Stay indoors, such as home or office. If it is necessary to go out, minimize the time spent traveling and staying outdoors.
Prefer the car for your commute. It is recommended to keep the windows closed and have the ventilation system activated in internal recirculation mode.
Avoid vigorous physical work or sports activity, such as cycling, running or walking in open spaces, sports training or even competitions in open spaces (swimming pools, stadiums, stadiums). Move such activities to suitable indoor sports halls or postpone them to other days if possible.
Use masks with high respiratory protection. When going outside, especially in conditions of high dust concentrations, it is recommended to wear a high-respiratory protection mask (FFP2/ KN95/N95) to reduce inhalation of particles.
Take steps to improve indoor air quality
Maintain good air quality at home, office, etc.
Minimize outside air infiltration by keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible.
Improve interior insulation (door and window cracks) to prevent dust from entering the interior.
Activate the air purifier in good time – if present – and make sure it has the right filters and is working properly.
Wipe contact surfaces such as tables and counters with a damp cloth and mop the floor.
Avoid activities that worsen indoor air quality, such as smoking, using a vacuum cleaner, cooking with gas, lighting candles and fireplaces.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
What are African dust clouds and what do they consist of?
The long-range (thousands of kilometers) air transport of desert dust around the planet is a natural phenomenon, which plays a central role in the composition of the atmosphere and environment as well as in shaping weather and climate. Dust transport episodes are typically seasonal. In Europe and Greece, in particular, dust episodes are more frequent in the spring.
The African dust that can occasionally affect our country comes mainly from the Sahara desert in North Africa and consists of sand and dust particles of various sizes. The composition of particles depends on both their source and the path/trajectory they will follow and may include chemicals (inorganic and organic) and microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi).
Incorporation of microorganisms should not be a concern because airborne microorganisms are a common component of the atmosphere and air pollution. In addition, there is currently no sufficient scientific evidence to prove that the possible spread of pathogens through dust transport also causes the transmission of infectious diseases.
Source news247.gr