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Since the beginning of the week, sand dust from the Sahara has been arriving in France. This sand is at the origin of the orange sky which could be observed in several regions. Is it dangerous for health? Should we protect ourselves against it? The explanations of Liath Guetta, pulmonologist and member of the committee of experts of Doctissimo.
During the night of Monday to Tuesday, a wind called Sirocco swept through Spain and covered part of the country with a layer of orange particles. These sand dusts were found in France and the phenomenon should continue until tomorrow Thursday.
No impact on air quality
This is not the first time that a sandstorm from the Sahara has swept across France and covered the country with orange particles. For this episode, there does not seem to be any deterioration in air quality in France.
What consequences on health?
But is this sand dust dangerous for health? According to Dr. Liath Guetta, pulmonologist and member of Doctissimo’s expert committee, “It’s sand, so it’s particles that irritate the bronchi and the respiratory tract.”.
For the specialist,people with asthma can, when inhaling these kinds of particles, develop symptoms such as a dry cough, because of the irritation they cause. And in people who already have certain respiratory pathologies, their disease may worsen” she warns.
Do you have to wear a mask outside?
To protect yourself from this sand in the air, should you wear a mask? For the pulmonologist, it is useless. “The surgical mask is not filtering to protect against this type of particle. It would take an anti-pollution mask to be effective, but they are extremely expensive, it is not useful to get them for a few days“.
Especially since according to the specialist, during this type of meteorological episode there are no more harmful particles in the air than the usual pollution.