Saharan dust storm hits city

Warning due to poor air quality

A sandstorm thousands of miles away could have caused health problems for vulnerable residents in Peterborough as air pollution levels rocketed. The UK Ai r Qual i ty I ndex reached a score of seven in the city on Wednesday - listed as a high reading - and is forecast to reach the same score today.

The problems have arisen as dust from a Sahara desert sandstorm mixed with pollutants from Europe, travelling on air current to UK shores.

Public Health England has advised elderly residents, and people suffering with heart or lung conditions, such as asthma, not to take part in strenuous exercise.

However, the air quality is set to improve by Friday when it is expected to fall to a level three, rated as ‘low’.

Dr Callum Gardner, consultant physician and deputy medical director at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Trust is referring to the guidance set by Public Health England with regard to the possible health effects of air pollution.

“We have not yet seen a rise in patients attending the Emergency Department with respiratory issues as a result of the air pollution. However, as always, we remain pre- pared for all eventualities and to deal with any such cases if and when they present.”

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “There has been a south eastern airflow for a number of days, with high pressure, which has picked up pollutants from the continent. There has also been a dust storm in the Sahara, and dust has been carried along with the wind. Plants are starting to pollinate, and pollen has been carried on the wind as well

“We get dust from the Sahara fairly regularly, but it is very rare for all these circumstances to come together at once. The wind is set to switch to a south westerly direction for Friday, which will improve matters.”