‘Moderate concentration’ of Sahara dust blankets Guyana’s coastal communities

See below the full statement from the Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency hereby notifies the public that there is a current development of a visible haze around the East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara regions.

The EPA’s air quality sensors have detected a significantly high air quality index which signifies poor air quality conditions mainly due to a high concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere due to the Sahara dust and high humidity.

The EPA wishes to advise that particles in the Sahara dust could potentially cause a dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, itchy or water eyes, sneezing etc. Children, the elderly and persons with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular illness are most vulnerable.

The public is advised to limit their time spent outdoors and wear appropriate dust masks as far as practicable.

The EPA will notify the public when the air quality returns to normal and within parameter ranges.

The images below were taken from our AQI monitoring stations and can be viewed via the Agency’s website at: https://www.iqair.com/guyana