WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Health, Nature, and Environment issued a call to the population today to be aware that this week Sahara dust will be more present than usual. This can cause respiratory and visual discomfort. Especially this week, Sahara dust will drift over our island. People at risk should stay indoors as much as possible, with windows closed. Additionally, it is advised to avoid fans as they can spread the particles, the ministry recommends. Furthermore, it is advised to regularly clean the air filters in homes and cars, if possible daily.
According to the ministry, Curaçao is confronted with the phenomenon of Sahara dust from the African continent every year. The desert sand is an important factor in global ecology as it contains nutrients that make the Amazon rainforest fertile, for example. However, the dust also affects the quality of our air and can cause mild respiratory problems or allergies in some people.