WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin No. 5 – July 2021
This fifth issue of the WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin reports on the incidence and hazards of sand and dust storms in 2020. The impacts on health, the environment and economies have been highlighted once again this year as massive sand plumes have darkened skies and affected air quality in many parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe and travelled hundreds of miles over the Atlantic.
About the series
The annual WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin reports on the incidence and hazards of sand and dust storms, which have a major impact on air quality, health, the environment, agriculture and economies.
Every year, around 2,000 million tons of dust enters the atmosphere and can be transported for hundreds of kilometers. Much of this is a natural process, but a large part of it is the result of poor water and land management.
Forecasts have improved greatly thanks to the WMO Global Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System, which coordinates international sand and dust research and has operational regional centres.
