Saharan Dust Plume: 5 Tips to Keep Lungs Healthy

As the giant cloud of dust from the Sahara approaches the Southeast, the American Lung Association has released tips to help residents safeguard their health. Particles that are breathed into the lungs may cause or worsen coughing, wheezing, lower respiratory tract infections, lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

This guidance is especially important for the nearly 400,000 Mississippians living with lung disease, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, as well as children and older adults. However, everyone has the potential to experience respiratory symptoms related to dust exposure.

5 Tips to Keep Lungs Healthy During the Saharan Dust Plume Event:

1. Stay indoors as much as possible during high dust days. Close doors and windows and bring pets inside. Put air conditioners on the recirculation setting so outside air will not be moved into the room and clean air will circulate through air conditioners and air cleaners. Avoid exercising outdoors if you’re experiencing watery eyes or nose and throat irritation.
2. Close car windows and vents when driving through high dust areas. Air conditioning should be set to recirculate to avoid exposure to outside air.
3. Protect your lungs from dust. Fresh, well-fitting N-95 or N-100 masks will filter out the damaging fine particles on high dust days.
4. Keep an eye on symptoms. Dust particles can linger in the air for a few hours up to 10 days. Monitor yourself and loved ones for respiratory symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms.
5. Ask for help. The American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer any questions about the lungs, lung disease and lung health, including how to protect your lungs from dust storms.

Learn more about dust storms at Lung.org/disaster.