The Directorate-General of Health (DGS) has issued a warning (source in Portuguese) about poor air quality over the coming days due to an air mass from the deserts of North Africa carrying dust particles suspended in the atmosphere. The Portuguese health authority is advising the most vulnerable members of the population to stay at home whenever possible.
In a statement published on its website, the DGS notes that dust coming from North Africa will affect most of mainland Portugal, especially the Centre and South.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) also indicates (source in Portuguese) that there will be dust in suspension this Friday and Saturday.
Because of the dust, "a situation of poor air quality is expected to occur on the mainland, with an increase in the concentrations of inhalable particles of natural origin in the air", the DGS says.
According to the health authority, this pollutant (inhalable particles – PM10) affects human health, especially among the most sensitive groups, such as children and older people, whose healthcare needs should be given extra attention while these conditions persist.
