Credit: Kekeli K. Blamey
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a red alert due to the current dusty dry air, advising the public to take necessary precautions to stay safe.
The alert is particularly important for vulnerable individuals, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with pre-existing heart and lung diseases.
According to the EPA, the main culprit behind the dusty air is Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5, which consists of fine particles that can penetrate deep into the respiratory and cardiovascular system.
These particles can impair organ function and are hazardous to health.
The harmattan season, which started on December 13, has led to increased dust levels, with the Air Quality Index ranging from unhealthy to very unhealthy. The EPA’s air quality monitoring stations at the University of Ghana and Adabraka have recorded high levels of dust, confirming the poor air quality.
Dr. Allison Felix Hughes, Facility Manager of Afri-SET, a sensor evaluation centre, confirmed the elevated levels of dust, making the air unhealthy.
“If you have to be outdoors, try to protect yourself by wearing a face mask or limiting the number of hours outdoors to reduce exposure,” he advised.
The EPA has recommended several precautions to minimize exposure to the dusty air. These include wearing nose masks to filter out particulate matter, limiting outdoor activities, especially for susceptible individuals, avoiding open burning of waste and other materials, sprinkling water on dusty surfaces before sweeping to reduce dust emissions, reducing speeding on untarred roads to minimize dust emissions, and regularly servicing vehicles and fuel-burning installations to optimize their functioning.
The public is urged to take these precautions seriously, as the dusty air can trigger allergic reactions and worsen conditions, including asthma. Hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis, are also expected to increase during this period.
The EPA will continue to monitor the air quality and provide updates to the public. In the meantime, residents are advised to stay safe and take necessary precautions to minimize exposure to the dusty air.
