Health warning over Saharan dust cloud bringing ‘blood rain’

A Saharan dust cloud has reached the British Isles, and it could bring health misery for people with respiratory issues.

Although the Sahara is over 1,500 miles from the UK, the world’s biggest hot desert causes a phenomenon felt in Britain too, known as ‘blood rain.’

The ominous-sounding occurrence can bring glorious, dusty red sunsets.

But the dust can be a menace for those with asthma and other lung conditions as more dust is whipped up into the air.

Here is a breakdown of what impact Saharan dust can have, and what blood rain is.

How does Saharan dust affect health?

For most people, the impact of the dust particles will be minimal.

However, those with respiratory sensitivity or a lung condition like asthma could be at risk.

Karen Spillett, the head of health at Asthma + Lung UK, told Metro: ‘If you are living with asthma, COPD or another lung condition, your airways are already inflamed and sensitive, and they can react to a trigger like the Saharan dust.

‘That irritates your airways even further, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, tightness across the chest or starting to feel breathless.

‘If those symptoms are not treated, it can lead to an asthma attack, or a flare-up of your condition, which can be really serious.’

The situation can be worse in cities, where general air pollution is already higher, she said.

‘The dust cloud is a form of air pollution, and that can have an impact on people’s health conditions. It does have quite a significant impact on lives, like avoiding outdoor exercise and having to stay indoors,’ she added.

Over 12 million people in the UK, around one in five, are estimated to live with a respiratory or lung condition.

What is ‘blood rain’?

Saharan dust is already moving across Europe and into parts of the UK with the winds.

The Met Office is estimating that the sand cloud will pass close by or just over the southern parts of the UK, bringing with it ‘dust-influenced air.’

When the dust mixes with moist air, it could cause some of the speckles to wash down with the rainfall.

You might spot a light film of yellowish or brownish residue on surfaces like car windows after rain.

Sunrises and sunsets might look more colourful than usual, although dust concentrations are expected to remain low overall.

If you were thinking of washing your car, you might want to wait until the end of the week, the forecaster said.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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