Sahara storm prompts London smog warning
LONDON – European pollution and dust swirling in from the Sahara created a “perfect storm” of smog in Britain on Wednesday, prompting authorities to warn people with heart or lung conditions to cut down on tough physical exercise outdoors.
Air pollution in some areas reached the top rung on its 10-point scale, the environment department said.
The smog was caused by pollution from Britain and industrialized areas of the continent – trapped in place because of light winds – mixing with dust blown up from a storm in the Sahara desert.
Many drivers across England awoke this week to find cars covered in a film of red dust left by overnight rain.
Paul Cosford of Public Health England told the BBC that people with heart or respiratory problems should “reduce the amount of strenuous exercise outdoors over the next few days.”
An unusual combination of factors had conspired “to create a ‘perfect storm’ for air pollution,” according to Helen Dacre, a meteorologist at the University of Reading.
Associated Press
