PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) Monday said that a thick plume of Saharan dust has pushed air quality to unhealthy levels in Port of Spain, Point Lisas, and San Fernando.
It stated that the dust has increased concentrations of particulate matter (PM), with the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 164 and 177 at the affected monitoring stations.
“At these levels, the air poses health risks to everyone, especially vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart conditions, The EMA said, adding that it is “strongly advising those in sensitive groups to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
‘Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion,” the EMA said, adding that Trinidad and Tobago currently has six Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations—five in Trinidad and one in Tobago—which provide real-time data through the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network.
The Trinidad and Tobago Weather Center has also warned that a significant surge of Saharan Dust is moving across the Windward Islands -Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.
“Air quality levels reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups on Sunday. Peak dust concentrations are ongoing across Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” it added.
It stated that while improvement is forecasted through the week, generally mild to moderate Saharan Dust levels are expected across Trinidad and Tobago, even with rainfall episodes.
Saharan dust is primarily caused by strong winds, intense heat, and the nature of the Sahara Desert’s soil. This arid region’s surface is made up of fine, easily lifted particles, which are then carried into the atmosphere by strong winds.
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