As the winds pick up, they quickly become powerful gusts, making Franklin’s mountains disappear in a swirling mist of dust.
Dust storms, a familiar but formidable force on the border, have the potential to make more than disturb daily life in El Paso. These storms can be fatal, reducing visibility on the roads and exacerbating a myriad of medical conditions.
Thomas Gill, professor of environmental and engineering sciences at the University of Texas in El PasoNoted how recent storms have become historical in their scope and severity.
How historic are the dust storms?
“We don’t know why it was so record at this stage,” said Gill. “The more serious the winds, the longer they last. Another factor behind this is drought, because we have not had substantial rain in this region for several months.”
The “extreme to exceptional” drought has made indigenous vegetation disappear, noted Gill. This loosens the ground, which ends up blowing up in the atmosphere.
Statistics show that the last time there have been so many dust storms in El Paso in an entire year, it was 1936, during the Dust Bowl, which swallowed up large expanses of Midwest and Texas. According to data compiled by Gill, El Paso had his most windy walk, when the dust storms of this year began, since 1964.
There have already been more than 26 storms of dust recorded, and it was not until April. El Paso normally only makes the average of 22 all year round, Gill also explained.
“A full-fledged dust storm is any dust event where there are less than half a million visibility. We are already on the annual average and we always have the spring and summer dust seasons. We do not know if it will be the new normal and it’s a bit scary,” said Gill.
Dust storms were so serious that Gill is part of a team of experts who presented their data to the New Mexico Environment Department This month, they are attacking the question of worsening air quality.
How do serious dust storms have an impact on health?
Dr. Carlo Hatem, a pulmonologist from the Providence hospitals, noted that many with compromise respiratory systems could be at risk if they do not limit their exposure to dust microparticles.
“The main health risks exist for those who suffer from pulmonary conditions such as asthma, Mpoc and those who require oxygen,” said Hatem. “They find it more difficult to breathe during high concentrations of particles. They may have to use their drugs more frequently or to go to the emergency room for additional treatment.”
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or MPOC, is a continuous pulmonary condition caused by lung damage. Damage causes swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, inside the airways that limit the air flow in and out of the lungs, The Mayo Note clinic.
Hatem also explained that during severe dust storms, such as recent events in the past two months, have been a catalyst for emergency rooms in El Paso.
“In addition, these dust storms can transport infectious agents. An under-regulated condition in our region is the valley fever, where fungal spores that cause the disease are delivered with inhaled dust and can cause pneumonia,” said Hatem.
Life adapting to dust
Several public events, Like community games and programswere not immune to planning dust anomalies quickly.
Juan Orozco, the head coach of The Coronado High School baseball teamfound ways to get around this.
“We have really not had these kinds of storms for some time, so it was a new experience for us,” said Orozco. “We had to cancel two games and even then, we could not really train. So we did video work and in class instead. We played in some of these dust storms, and it was difficult for both teams. The children care if they can play and if it is worth it.”
However, the season continues as more storms are expected in spring and summer in western Texas.
The reported matches are the business card for many of these violent dust storms for teams such as the Coronado High School baseball team, but Orozco grants credit to the independent school district of El Paso for having stayed on any potential meteorological situation.
Protect yourself from severe dust storms
Although there are those who cannot stay inside during these weather events, agencies like Border Patrol and the El Paso Police Service note that the use Neck Protecting their staff is strongly encouraged.
Among the recommendations to avoid these types of health risks are:
- Try to stay inside as possible.
- If you have to be outside, the use of masks like normal surgical varieties is encouraged. Those who want something more robust could also use N95 masks.
- Keep all the respiratory drugs nearby for serious dust storms and keep the prescriptions filled and up to date for these drugs to avoid emergencies.
- Finally, the efforts to impress the house are suggested through air filters and finish any repair at the windows and the doors to prevent air drafts from entering the premises.