Beware of dust storms, UAE agencies tell public

Abu Dhabi, June 4 (IANS/WAM) The Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) have asked people to check their websites to understand how to avoid the effects of dust storms on their health.

The EAD has set up a website where data from 20 air quality monitoring stations, scattered around Abu Dhabi, are transmitted live, 24 hours a day.

The data collected allows the EAD to monitor five major air pollutants -- particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ground-level ozone.

It said dust storms can trigger asthmatic attacks. However, by properly monitoring the environment, people can enjoy a good quality of life. Without care, asthma sufferers can experience wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing.

The website highlights the status of air quality through six clearly-defined levels of health concern -- good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous.

--IANS/WAM

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