Saharan dust affects air quality in Caribbean and Central America

A mass of Saharan dust is moving across the Caribbean and Central America, potentially impacting air quality. In Guatemala, the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) has issued warnings for Friday, September 5, advising vulnerable populations—particularly those with chronic respiratory illnesses—to wear masks, limit outdoor exposure, and keep windows and doors closed.

Medical specialists in the Dominican Republic, including pulmonologists Gabriel Smester and José Miguel Stefan, noted that while the phenomenon causes orange skies and reduced visibility, its health impact depends on the concentration of particulate matter reaching ground level. They emphasized that visible dust in satellite imagery does not always equate to a severe health threat for the general population, though it remains a concern for sensitive individuals.