CAPA DE POLVO DEL SAHARA / SAHARAN AIR LAYER
The Saharan Air Layer is a very dry and dusty air mass that forms over the Sahara Desert in late spring, summer and early fall, and moves over the tropical North Atlantic Ocean every three to five days. Outbreaks of the Saharan Air Layer typically occupy a layer of the atmosphere 2 to 2.5 miles thick, with the base starting about a mile above the surface.
The image shown here is an edition of the Cumaná Meteorological Observatory with data provided by NASA's Global Modeling and Assimilation Office showing the projected outbreak of the Sahara dust layer from February 27 to March 6 of this year.
Now, the most common question that I have been asked lately is, is this phenomenon new? It is really nothing new, in fact, it has been happening since the Sahara desert has existed and that dates back thousands of years, it turns out that when the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic was present, there was an outbreak of this phenomenon and there were those who said that there was no pandemic or virus but that it was the Sahara dust cloud and that was when this phenomenon became well known, a bad way to teach something but positively now people know that it exists, but now they must know that this dates back thousands of years.
But what should we know about this phenomenon? Like many things in nature, this has consequences: positive and negative. On the positive side, I can tell you that thanks to the Saharan dust layer, the Amazonian reserve exists because this layer of soil is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, two key components for fertilization, and this phenomenon covers beyond the limits of the Amazonian reserve, passing through Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil, Colombia, Panama and Central American countries, even reaching the United States. However, as a negative aspect, other components such as copper and some fungi that are present in the dust when falling into the sea are sedimented by the weight reaching places where there is coral life which get sick when in contact with these elements.
Now with respect to health, does it really affect? The answer is yes, it does affect health, how? It is simple, this layer of dust has a maximum relative humidity of 3%, it is a very dry cloud where several components travel as we have already read, in addition to the dust itself, it moves around several parts of the world causing allergies and asthmatic crises especially in people who suffer from respiratory problems or who have immunosuppression, there are even those who have flu or persistent allergies due to contact with particles of this phenomenon, in addition to the respiratory part, there may be ocular and dermatological conditions.
+Si sientes alguna sensación extraña en tus ojos en los próximos entonces lávese con bastante agua y si debe salir a la calle use gorra y lentes.
+Es bueno usar el tapabocas si es de las personas que tiene sensibilidad respiratoria.
+Sacuda la ropa que se está secando al sol antes de guardarla.
+Es preferible que, antes de barrer, pasar un coleto para evitar la reflotación de las partículas de este polvo.
Con esas simples medidas podrá garantizar la no afección.
De todas maneras, tenga en cuenta que esto no causa enfermedades masivas en nuestra región, pero la prevención siempre es la clave.
So, we know that, since February 27th, that is, since tomorrow will begin the first irruption of this phenomenon to the American continent and we know that at least until March 6th it will be present in mild concentrations, now, we must take into account: People with chronic respiratory diseases, older adults, pregnant women and children are the most vulnerable to the components of this phenomenon so:
+If you feel any strange sensation in your eyes in the next few then wash with plenty of water and if you must go outside wear cap and glasses.
+It is good to wear a mask if you are a person with respiratory sensitivity.
+Shake out clothes that are drying in the sun before putting them away.
+It is preferable that, before sweeping, you pass a dust collector to avoid the reflotation of the particles of this dust.
With these simple measures you will be able to guarantee the non affection.
Anyway, keep in mind that this does not cause massive diseases in our region, but prevention is always the key.
Daniel Márquez desde Venezuela para todos ustedes
Analista de datos del Observatorio Meteorológico de Cumaná
Agradecimientos por la traducción a: www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
