Sahara dust increases levels of particulate matter in Midwest

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Air Quality Program encourages residents across the region to limit or avoid outdoor activity on Sunday, June 28. The skies across the Greater Kansas City region may look a bit hazier with lower visibility in the horizon as dust from the Sahara Desert moves across Kansas and Missouri. The dust originated in the Sahara Desert in Africa. Trade winds picked up the dust, carrying it thousands of miles across and Atlantic before arriving in the U.S. While the metro is experiencing increased levels of particulate matter, the MARC Air Quality Program is not issuing an Ozone Alert because ozone levels are in a healthy range.

“The Kansas City metro is experiencing increased levels of particulate matter due to dust from the Sahara Desert. The increase in particulate matter can cause health problems in even healthy individuals,” said MARC Air Quality Program Manager Karen Clawson. “We recommend all area residents limit outdoor activity. If you have a heart-related or respiratory illness, please remain indoors for the day.”

MARC’s Air Quality Program monitors air quality throughout the bistate Kansas City region. Stay informed by visiting  AirQKC.org and following the Air Quality Program on Twitter at www.twitter.com/airQKC .