Saharan Dust

Origin and efects on health

Fernando Cordero Bez
Prof. Sandra Rios
INGL3236-030H

Purpose
The purpose of this investigation is to inform the audience about the
phenomena, its origin and how does it affect the health of individuals.

News: ABC news

News:
The Telegraph

News: BBC news

Origin
3.5 million square miles
Factor favoring the desert climate:
Quote: Jim Andrews: AccuWeather Expert Senior
Meteorologist
High atmospheric pressure

Factors favoring the phenomenon:

Consistent winds

What does the dust contain?

Virus
Pollen

Bacteria
Spores
Non-specific heavy meatals and irritants.

Volatile organic compounds, derived from petroleum.

Clasification of particles
PM10: partcles with diameter of de 10 micrometers or less.

PM2.5: partcles with diameter of de 2.5 micrometers or less. They are

known as the fine particles.

The particles in this range (0-10m)- stay trapped in the lungs.

Article

Abstract
Sand storms are increasing.
Evidence of the distance it travels.

When dust particles enter the body:

Epithelial cells of respiratory ducts.
Activate cells of the inmune system.
Initiate response of specific cells:
Cytotoxic T cells, LT, LB

Entering the body

The PM10 are the most abundant in the atmosphere and enter the body with
each breath inhale.

Other airborne particles may be deposited in:

Mouth
Nasal cavity
Esophagus
This way the particles are consumed.

Health effects
Pathologic effects in the lungs.
Initiation of the inflammatory response.
Active inflammatory cells.

Aggravation of respiratory diseases.

 Toxic efects by absortion of toxic material.

Efects of alergy or hypersensitivity
Bacterial infections
Fungus

 Fibrosis
Cancer
Irritation of mucous membranes.
Asthma aggravation
The risk are worse when considering sensitive groups: children
and the elderly.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Associated diseases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Silicosis
Silica (SiO2) mineral component
Inflamation and fibrosis of the lungs.
Excessive exposure to silica also has been associated with tuberculosis, chronic
bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer

Potentially pathological microorganisms ( 2.5 m).

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&ust=1460496144749393

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http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/tuberculosis-28061857.jpg

http://discovermagazine.com/~/media/Images/Issues/2013/September/a-look-inside-cystic-fibrosis.jpg

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Factors that influence

The chemical and physical composition of the particles.
The concentration of the particles in the air.
The size of the partcles.
Big VS small

The duration of the exposure.

Exposure
We are all exposed.
With the exception of filtrated environments.

It may be higher in urban or industrial areas.

Natural environments.

Examples of exposure...

Natural
Environments
Europe

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United
Kingdom
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Costa
Rica

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http://media.twobackpackers.com/Photos/Puerto-Rico/El-Yunque-National-Forest/i-cP2Gvsd/0/XL/El-YunqueNational-Forest-50-XL.jpg

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http://tiffography.com/wpcontent/uploads/2009/01/elyunque-016.jpg

References
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082624/
http://www.elnuevodia.com/estilosdevida/hogar/nota/elpolvodelsaharaytusalud-1300337/
https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/tracking-saharan-dust-across-theatlantic/#.Vj_7X2vlQ4U
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-glossary/saharan-dust-how-does-it-devel1/14307927
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/dense-saharan-dust-travels-toflorida/68145
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/10740827/Saharan-dust-andpollution-confusion-over-health-risk-from-smog-cloud.html

 http://cohemis.uprm.edu/dust/talks/21_mmccormack.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3960758/
http://acm.eionet.europa.eu/docs/ETCACM_TP_2011_4_health_effects_s
ahara_dust.pdf

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26848489
http://www.alergiaspr.org/medicos/RafaelZaragoza/Artpolvo_del_sahara_y_tu_salud.html

http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100602111143.htm
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/000091.htm

 https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000134.htm
http://artsandsciences.colorado.edu/magazine/2015/04/first-u-s-airbornemolecule-map-released/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34185291
http://www.extremestorms.com.au/dust-storms-and-storms-middle-eastand-italy-september-7-11-2015/