Saharan Dust Cloud Hits Rome: Health Risks and Recommendations

In Rome, a yellow sky almost filled with sand is actually due to the Sirocco, carrying a massive load of dust from the Sahara desert. This causes yellowish and reddish skies and has also struck the capital, prompting the Capitol to issue a managerial determination for public information, adopting a measure to contain atmospheric pollution. "Considering the phenomenon of long-distance transport of particulate material of natural origin (Saharan events) that, today and in the coming days, is affecting the municipal territory of Rome (as indicated by sector forecast models), during the air quality monitoring cycle of yesterday, March 30, 2024, an exceeding of the daily limit value of PM10 set by current legislation was detected at the stations of Francia, Magna Grecia, Cinecittà, Villa Ada, Guido, Cavaliere, Fermi, Bufalotta, Cipro, Tiburtina, Arenula, and Malagrotta," reads on the website of Rome Capital, which refers to the managerial determination for recommendations on behaviors to adopt. Why is the sky yellow? What's happening in Rome, Turin, Florence, Naples, and what are the health risks? The Capitol: "The vulnerable should not be exposed" Rome continues to be affected by a cloud of dust from the Sahara and the Capitol renews the recommendation, already made yesterday, to the most at-risk individuals - such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, cardiac patients, and individuals with respiratory diseases - to avoid prolonged exposure to high concentrations of pollutants. Thus, for the second consecutive day, the limits of PM10 are exceeded. The indication is on the website of the Municipality of Rome. "Considering the phenomenon of long-distance transport of particulate material of natural origin (Saharan events) that, today and in the coming days, is affecting the municipal territory of Rome - the Municipality writes - during the air quality monitoring cycle of yesterday, March 30, 2024, an exceeding of the daily limit value of PM10 set by current legislation was detected at the stations of Francia, Magna Grecia, Cinecittà, Villa Ada, Guido, Cavaliere, Fermi, Bufalotta, Cipro, Tiburtina, Arenula, and Malagrotta. The Capitol has thus reiterated some voluntary actions to help prevent the increase in pollutant concentrations: "Opt for the use of public transport avoiding as much as possible the use of private motor vehicles; use the car in a shared way to contribute to the reduction of circulating vehicles (carpooling or car sharing); prefer electric, hybrid vehicles or those fueled with low-impact fuels (e.g., methane); adopt driving behaviors aimed at reducing pollutant emissions; limit the operating hours of heating systems and reduce the maximum air temperature in buildings; opt for the use of bicycles; prefer, where possible, walking."