Dust Storm Blankets Florida

A massive dust plume from the Sahara has reached Florida. This dust plume, approximately 3,000 miles wide, originated in the Sahara Desert in Africa and traveled a long distance across the Atlantic Ocean. Large amounts of mineral particulate matter have settled near the ground, causing a sharp rise in PM10 concentrations across the state. Air quality in many areas has reached “unhealthy” levels, with the sky shrouded in grayish-yellow haze and visibility significantly reduced. The sand and dust aerosols will continue to irritate the respiratory tract, increasing the risk of symptoms in susceptible populations, such as those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).