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.
Therefore, and for as long as this phenomenon continues, the Directorate-General of Health recommends that the public "avoid prolonged exertion, limit physical activity outdoors and avoid exposure to risk factors, such as tobacco smoke and contact with irritating products".
The DGS specifically advises that children, older people, patients with chronic respiratory problems, particularly asthma, and those with cardiovascular disease should, whenever possible, remain indoors and preferably keep windows closed, "because of their greater vulnerability to the effects of this phenomenon".
In addition, it stresses that "patients with chronic diseases should continue their ongoing medical treatments".
Interior facing maximum rural fire risk
In addition to the dust, eleven municipalities in the districts of Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco and Coimbra are on maximum rural fire alert this Friday, on a day when temperatures will remain high, according to IPMA.
Because of the hot weather, IPMA has placed the districts of Bragança, Viseu, Évora, Guarda, Faro, Vila Real, Setúbal, Santarém, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Castelo Branco, Coimbra and Portalegre under a yellow warning until 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Although the peak of the heat episode was on Thursday, temperatures are expected to remain above 20 ºC, despite a slight drop this Friday, especially along the coast and in regions south of the Tagus.
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