The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an advisory urging the public to take precautions against the current dusty conditions.

The EPA has recommended that vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with heart or lung conditions, wear face masks to protect themselves from the harmful effects of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5).

The Agency has also recommended that at-risk individuals limit their outdoor activities, as the elevated pollution levels could trigger allergies and worsen conditions like asthma.

The dust primarily consists of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 – tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, impairing organ function and posing serious health risks.

These particles, which include dust, dirt, soot, and smoke, are present in the air both visible and invisible.

An EPA source informed the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that air quality monitoring stations at the University of Ghana and Adabraka have recorded high dust levels due to the onset of harmattan. Since December 13, the Air Quality Index has ranged between "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and "very unhealthy."

The EPA’s findings align with the Ghana Meteorological Agency's daily forecast, which predicts significant dust in the air from the Sahel region, reducing visibility. These conditions are expected to continue into late December.

Early December 2024 data from the Breathe Accra Project’s monitoring stations also showed high pollution levels across the country.

Dr. Allison Felix Hughes, Facility Manager of Afri-SET, a sensor evaluation center, confirmed the unhealthy air quality, urging the public to limit outdoor exposure to minimize health risks.

“If by any way you have to be out then try to protect yourself by either wearing a face mask or limiting the number of hours outdoors to reduce exposure. This is a natural phenomenon. We have no control over it,” he said.

“It is during this period that you see the hospital admissions growing with cases of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.”

He recommended that the public wear pollution masks when necessary and avoid burning waste or materials openly to protect their health.

People are also encouraged to dampen dusty surfaces with water before sweeping to help reduce dust in the air. Drivers should slow down on unpaved roads to minimize dust pollution.

“Vehicles and other fuel-burning installations/machines, including generator sets should be serviced regularly to optimise their functioning, idling of their engines should be avoided,” he urged.