PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Environmental Administration Authority (EMA) Monday stated {that a} thick plume of Saharan mud has pushed air high quality to unhealthy ranges in Port of Spain, Level Lisas, and San Fernando.
It acknowledged that the mud has elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM), with the Air High quality Index (AQI) ranging between 164 and 177 on the affected monitoring stations.
“At these ranges, the air poses well being dangers to everybody, particularly weak teams comparable to kids, older adults, and other people with respiratory or coronary heart circumstances, The EMA stated, including that it’s “strongly advising these in delicate teams to keep away from extended or heavy exertion outdoor.
‘Everybody else ought to cut back extended or heavy exertion,” the EMA stated, including that Trinidad and Tobago at the moment has six Ambient Air High quality Monitoring Stations—5 in Trinidad and one in Tobago—which give real-time information by way of the Nationwide Ambient Air High quality Monitoring Community.
The Trinidad and Tobago Climate Heart has additionally warned {that a} important surge of Saharan Mud is transferring throughout the Windward Islands -Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.
“Air high quality ranges reached unhealthy ranges for delicate teams on Sunday. Peak mud concentrations are ongoing throughout Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” it added.
It acknowledged that whereas enchancment is forecasted by way of the week, typically delicate to average Saharan Mud ranges are anticipated throughout Trinidad and Tobago, even with rainfall episodes.
Saharan mud is primarily brought on by robust winds, intense warmth, and the character of the Sahara Desert’s soil. This arid area’s floor is made up of positive, simply lifted particles, that are then carried into the environment by robust winds.
