September 3, 2015
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this natural-color image of a dust storm over southern Algeria on September 3, 2015. While dust storms are quite routine in many parts of the world, medical research links them to a range of health issues. According to one report published in Environment International, common problems associated with exposure to dust storms include: respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disorders, conjunctivitis, skin irritations, meningococcal meningitis, valley fever, and injuries related to transport accidents.
References & Resources
- Goudie, A. (2014, February) Desert dust and human health disorders. Environment International, (63), 101-113.
NASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS Rapid Response. Caption by Adam Voiland.
