Valencia has activated an emergency alert after African dust has reached significant levels in the city. These are small atmospheric particles that can have an impact on climate and precipitation and also adversely affect human health when inhaled. It is understood that the dust has been swept from North Africa and spread across Morocco into the western Mediterranean, reaching the Peninsula. The dust contains particles such as calcite, ferric oxide, quartz and clay minerals and originates from sandstorms in the Sahara which can be transported long distances by the wind. The City Council has ensured that it will employ atmospheric air quality regulations, in addition to regularly monitoring levels and ensuring informative measures are adopted to keep the population safe until optimum air quality conditions are restored.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 25, 2020 11:48 UTC