Pollution levels in the United Kingdom have risen by 50 percent over the last decade due to an increase in Saharan dust, according to a new study.
Scientists from the Paul Scherrer Institute utilized artificial intelligence to analyze desert dust in the air over Europe. Their findings indicate that dust concentrations have consistently increased across much of the continent between 2012 and 2021, with the UK experiencing a rise of at least 50 percent during this period.
This Saharan dust, transported thousands of miles, can lead to phenomena such as "blood rain" and poses significant risks to respiratory health. Mineral desert dust is a major component of airborne particulate matter, known to be harmful to human health.
To investigate the changes in dust levels, researchers analyzed 18,500 daily measurements of dust-related metals from 103 rural and urban sites across Europe from 2012 to 2021. The analysis revealed increasing dust concentrations in most of Europe, with notable surges in areas including Italy, the Adriatic Sea, and the Aegean Sea.
According to study author Petros Vasilakos, the primary driver behind this surge is the increasing desiccation of the Sahara Desert in North Africa. While the number of dust storms has not increased, they have become more intense over the studied decade, resulting in greater dust transport to Europe.
When dust is lifted high into the atmosphere by strong desert winds, it can travel vast distances. Raindrops falling through these dusty air masses collect particles, leaving behind a layer of reddish-brown sediment when they land and evaporate. This can cause cars, windows, and outdoor furniture to appear coated in mud.
The health implications of Saharan dust include coughing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and the exacerbation of asthma symptoms. It can also worsen heart-related conditions, such as palpitations, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Experts anticipate that dust pollution will worsen due to climate change. The study, published in Nature, warns that accelerating desertification and altered atmospheric circulation will increasingly threaten public health and efforts to meet air quality targets, indicating a direct feedback loop between climate change and air quality.