Lately it feels like most of the Sahara’s dust has migrated to Trinidad and Tobago. On any given day, a glance out the window reveals a hazy sky — signalling not rain, but another layer of it that brings a constant struggle for allergy sufferers and a nightmare for clean cars.
How does it get here?
This atmospheric invasion lifts millions of tonnes of mineral-rich soil from the Sahara and carries it thousands of miles across the Atlantic on Harmattan winds, blanketing the Caribbean.
But, believe it or not, there’s an upside.
According to tracking data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Trinidad and Tobago Weather Centre, the Saharan Air Layer acts as a natural buffer against severe weather — essentially functioning as atmospheric kryptonite for hurricanes. It suppresses tropical cyclones through what meteorologists call a hostile trifecta: its air is roughly 50 per cent drier than the surrounding tropical air mass, which chokes out emerging thunderstorms; it carries a powerful mid-level jet stream that creates destructive wind shear, tilting and tearing apart developing storm vortices; and the mineral particles themselves act as a giant mirror, reflecting solar radiation back into space.
By blocking sunlight, this layer can cool Atlantic sea surface temperatures by up to a full degree Celsius, starving potential storms of the thermal energy they need to intensify. For a region caught in the crosshairs of a changing climate, the very dust that compromises our breathing may be an important barrier keeping more devastating natural disasters at bay.
To help us get through these days more easily, Guardian Media spoke with Dr Nicholas Figaro, a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head and Neck Surgeon who serves as an Associate Lecturer, contributing to clinical research and surgical education on sinonasal disease and airway health.
Guardian Media: With these heavy dust events becoming our new normal, what are the primary health complaints bringing patients into your clinic?
Dr Nicholas Figaro: Over the past several years, we have seen a noticeable increase in patients presenting with upper airway symptoms during periods of heavy Saharan dust. Rather than causing new allergies, the dust more commonly aggravates existing allergic and inflammatory conditions.
From an ENT perspective, the most common condition is allergic rhinitis, with patients experiencing sneezing, nasal congestion, a runny nose, itching and postnasal drip. We also frequently see allergic conjunctivitis, causing red, itchy, watery eyes, and worsening symptoms in patients with chronic sinus disease, including increased nasal blockage, facial pressure and, in some cases, sinus infections.
Saharan dust can also worsen asthma by triggering inflammation throughout the airways. Many people experience non-allergic irritant rhinitis, where the dust directly irritates the lining of the nose and throat, causing congestion, coughing, throat discomfort and hoarseness, even in those without a history of allergies.
Children, older adults and individuals with allergies, asthma or chronic sinus disease are particularly vulnerable.
Q: What preventative steps can allergy sufferers take when the dust is high, both indoors and outdoors?
A: When dust levels are high, vulnerable individuals should limit prolonged outdoor activities, particularly strenuous exercise, as this increases the amount of dust inhaled. If it is necessary to be outdoors, wearing a well-fitted N95 mask can help filter dust more effectively than a standard surgical mask.
Indoors, keeping windows and doors closed can reduce the amount of dust entering the home or workplace. Using air conditioning with clean filters or portable air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can further improve air quality.
Regular cleaning with a damp cloth or mop, rather than dry dusting or sweeping, also helps prevent dust particles from becoming airborne again. For individuals who suffer from allergic rhinitis, saline nasal irrigation can help remove dust particles and allergens from the nasal passages, reducing irritation and congestion.
Patients should also continue using their prescribed allergy medications, including intranasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines, as these are most effective when used consistently rather than waiting until symptoms become severe.
Q: What is the clinical guidance on using over-the-counter vs prescribed treatments, and what should asthma patients keep in mind?
A: The appropriate treatment depends on the individual’s symptoms and underlying medical conditions. For most people with allergic rhinitis, the treatment is intranasal corticosteroid sprays, which are the most effective medications for reducing nasal inflammation, congestion, sneezing and runny nose. Non-sedating oral antihistamines can also provide effective relief from sneezing, itching and watery eyes, while antihistamine eye drops may be beneficial for those with significant eye irritation.
Regular saline nasal irrigation is a simple but highly effective measure and improves the effectiveness of nasal medications. Patients should avoid prolonged use of over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays, as they can lead to rebound nasal congestion if used for more than a few days.
Individuals with asthma should continue taking their prescribed controller medications and ensure that their reliever inhalers are readily available, as Saharan dust can exacerbate lower airway inflammation and trigger asthma attacks.
Most importantly, patients with persistent symptoms, recurrent sinus infections or worsening breathing difficulties should seek medical assessment to help prevent complications and improve quality of life.
Q: How can schools, workplaces or public spaces help reduce exposure for vulnerable groups, like children or the elderly?
A: The first step is to monitor local air quality advisories and adjust activities accordingly. When dust concentrations are high, schools should consider reducing or postponing outdoor assemblies, sporting activities and physical education classes, while employers should minimise prolonged outdoor work where feasible or rotate staff to limit exposure.
Improving indoor air quality is equally important. Keep windows and doors closed during peak dust periods, ensure air-conditioning systems are properly maintained with clean filters, and use high-efficiency air filtration systems where available.
Schools and workplaces should also ensure that staff are aware of individuals with asthma or severe allergies and have protocols in place to respond promptly should symptoms develop. Access to prescribed medications, including inhalers for asthmatic patients, should be encouraged, and staff should recognise early warning signs such as persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or significant allergic reactions that warrant medical attention.
Q: Is there any long-term health risk we should be aware of from repeated Saharan dust exposure?
A: For most healthy individuals, intermittent exposure to Saharan dust is unlikely to cause permanent health problems.
Emerging research has shown that fine particulate matter contained in dust storms can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory exacerbations, emergency department visits and hospital admissions, particularly among vulnerable populations and those with underlying cardiopulmonary disease.
While ongoing research continues to examine the long-term effects of repeated Saharan dust exposure, the greatest burden appears to be the cumulative worsening of existing respiratory illnesses rather than the development of new disease in otherwise healthy individuals.
