Rising Saharan Dust in Europe Threatens Health and Solar Power

A study published in the journal Nature by researchers at the Swiss Paul Scherrer Institute shows that desert dust from the Sahara reaching Europe has increased by 10‑25 % over the past decade and more than doubled over the last 150 years. Measurements from ice cores in the Alps and a dataset of 18,500 daily observations across 103 rural and urban sites were combined with machine‑learning models to estimate daily PM₁₀ concentrations. The average dust level in Southern Europe – Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal – is about 5.3 µg m⁻³, more than twice the 2.1 µg m⁻³ recorded in Central and Northern Europe.

The intensified dust transport is linked to climate‑driven expansion of the Sahara and stronger winds that lift and carry finer particles northward. Health experts warn that high‑dust days raise the risk of heart attacks and respiratory problems, especially for people with existing cardiovascular or lung conditions and for older citizens. The study notes an increase in mortality on such days, although long‑term effects like asthma or chronic bronchitis still need research.

For solar energy, the dust both shades panels in the atmosphere and deposits on photovoltaic modules, cutting electricity output by 5‑30 % and, in severe storms, by over 50 %. Researchers recommend early‑warning systems similar to those used for urban fine‑particle and pollen pollution, and suggest routine cleaning of panels and flexible dispatch of alternative generation to maintain grid stability.