PSI Study: Saharan Dust over Europe Increasing Significantly – Southern Europe Particularly Affected

The research team evaluated measurement data from across Europe and specifically looked for chemical "fingerprints" of desert dust in order to distinguish it from other fine particulate matter sources such as car exhaust. As the cause, "vermutet ein internationales Forschungsteam im Fachjournal 'Nature' die Ausbreitung von Wüsten vor allem in Nordafrika sowie veränderte Luftströmungen". These altered wind patterns do not lead to more frequent dust events, but rather to more intense ones.

According to the study, there are around 46 particularly dusty days per year in Southern Europe. On these days, the average concentration rises to 9.7 micrograms per cubic meter – "Das ist ein beeindruckend hoher Wert", as environmental immunologist Stefanie Gilles from the University of Augsburg emphasizes. This value corresponds to almost two-thirds of the WHO annual limit value of 15 micrograms per cubic meter, caused by desert dust alone. "Besonders in Südeuropa steigt die Feinstaubbelastung einer Studie zufolge deutlich", the publication states.

Health Consequences and Risk Groups

The strongest increase is observed in southern Italy, "und dort insbesondere Italien, die Adriaregion und die Ägäis". According to the study, however, the trend extends far beyond southern Italy to Scandinavia, albeit more weakly. For the coming days, meteorologists also expect southern France, Italy, and Greece to be affected by Saharan dust. Currently, elevated concentrations are being measured over large parts of Spain.

"Die Konzentration von Feinstaub aus der Sahara ist über weiten Teilen Europas in den vergangenen Jahren gestiegen", the researchers write. Desert dust accounts for almost one-third of the WHO annual limit value in Southern Europe. The fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and partially enter the bloodstream, where they trigger inflammation and put strain on the cardiovascular system. "Das hat Folgen für die Gesundheit gefährdeter Gruppen."

Special Case Switzerland

Switzerland forms an exception: While the amount of dust is increasing in the lowlands, a decrease is observed in the Alps. Study director Kaspar Dällenbach explains this with the geographic location: "Die Schweiz liegt etwas abseits der Haupttransport-Routen des Staubs. Auch die Alpen könnten als Barriere wirken." Nevertheless, many researchers do not see the current events as a coincidence, but as part of a pattern that has been intensifying for years.

The PSI team emphasizes that individual measures are not sufficient in the long term. To slow the progressive desertification of North Africa, climate and soil protection are necessary. The study authors remain cautious, however: The increase observed so far is not yet sufficient for serious health consequences; the risk lies more in the trend continuing.

The article was published in the Tagesspiegel (Tagesspiegel Plus) by Walter Willems.