Sand and Dust Storm Frequency Increases in Many World Regions; UN Warns of Health Implications on Humans

According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), sand and dust storms (SDS) are becoming more frequent in some regions of the world, with at least 25% of the phenomenon attributed to man-made activities. This warning, accompanied by policy recommendations, comes as a five-day meeting took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to take stock of global progress in UNCCD's implementation.

Global Alert Against Severe SDS

The meeting, held from November 13 - 17, was the twenty-first session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 21) to the UNCCD. It included a high-level session on addressing the effects of sand and dust in various sectors such as human health, water and air quality, transportation, industry, and global agriculture.

According to UNCCD's Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw, the rolling dark clouds of sand and dust are one of nature's most intimidating spectacles that wreak havoc everywhere from Northern and Central Asia to sub-Saharan Africa. In some regions, desert dust doubled in the last century. It was also revealed that the Earth is losing almost 1 million square kilometers of healthy and productive land yearly.

Although sand and dust storms are a regionally common and seasonal natural phenomenon, the problem is worsened by climate change, droughts, and poor land and water management. It is estimated that 2 billion tons of sand and dust enter the Earth's atmosphere each year, an amount that is equal in weight to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza.

As sand and dust storms have become increasingly frequent and severe, they could have substantial transboundary impacts that can affect individuals' environment, livelihoods, and socioeconomic well-being. They can have severe implications for crops and livestock and may strip topsoil. Additionally, they can disrupt supply chains, transportation, power generation, and communications by low visibility and dust-induced mechanical failure.

Thiaw added that sand and dust storms challenge achieving sustainable development. Just as human activities exacerbate them, human interventions can also reduce them.

In their Sand and Dust Storms Compendium, the UNCCD and its partner agencies offer guidance on techniques and methodologies for collecting and assessing sand and dust storm data. It aims to monitor and mitigate the impacts of this phenomenon at sub-national, national, regional, and global levels.

Health Impacts of SDS

Although SDS can fertilize terrestrial and marine environments, they also present various hazards to human health. In SDS events, fine dust particles are carried to high tropospheric levels where winds can transport them over long distances.

Sand and dust storms can be life-threatening to individuals who suffer from adverse health conditions. At-risk members of a population, especially those with pre-existing cardiopulmonary conditions like childhood asthma, may have a higher morbidity or mortality rate during a dust storm.

The size of dust particles is the key determinant of health hazards posed by SDS. Particles larger than 10 micrometers are not breathable and can only damage external organs, causing skin and eye irritations, conjunctivitis, and susceptibility to ocular infection. Meanwhile, inhalable particles usually get trapped in the mouth, nose, and upper respiratory tract and may cause disorders such as silicosis, allergic rhinitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, and asthma.