CENTRAL, Texas — The Saharan dust has made its way to Central Texas and is expected to arrive Wednesday, July 31 and stay until Thursday, Aug. 1.
So, what is the Saharan dust and how does it make its way to Texas?
The dust is made up of fine particles of sand and mineral dust. The dust is lifted from the Sahara Desert and is carried by strong winds and pushed in order to reach long distances.
Some of the health and environmental concerns that come with the dust are:
- Low impacts on air quality, which can make it a sensitive environment for children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues like asthma.
- The dust can also cause allergy symptoms like coughing, sneezing and even itchy eyes.
- Our vision can also be impacted, especially while driving, causing potentially dangerous driving conditions.
So what can we do to keep ourselves protected?
We can limit outdoor use as much as possible, prioritize the use of air filters, stay informed about the air quality in your area as well as take the necessary allergy medicine.
Although this is something that happens every year, it is important to stay informed on what to expect.
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