Sandstorm Is Worst for Israel Since Independence

Israel’s ongoing sandstorm is the worst since before the founding of the state in 1948, according to the Israeli Environmental Protection Ministry.

 

The sandstorm blanketing the region, which began Tuesday and is expected to continue through the weekend, has released the highest concentration of dust particles in more than 65 years, the Times of Israel reported Friday.

 

The sandstorm has affected large swaths of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Cyprus, and in Israel has led to record electricity consumption and air pollution highs. The previous electricity consumption record was set in August during a heatwave.

 

Scientists are uncertain what caused the storm, with some saying it is related to agricultural disruptions caused by the Syrian civil war and others suggesting it stems from global warming, i24news reported.

 

On Tuesday, air pollution in Jerusalem was 173 times higher than average; in the Negev, 51 times higher than average; and in the Galilee, 32 times higher than average, according to the Times of Israel.

 

The Environmental Ministry has warned Israelis not to stay outside for extended periods. The storm has caused several respiratory-related deaths and hospitalized more than 2,500 in Lebanon, according to the Washington Post.

Courtesy of forward.com

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Holuhraun Lava Field Continues To Release High Concentration Of Sulphur Dioxide In Iceland

***ALERT***

Holuhraun Lava Field Continues To Release High Concentration Of Sulphur Dioxide In Iceland

A high concentration of sulphur dioxide continues from the Holuhraun eruption. Air pollution is likely in large proportions

The bluegreen area indicates possible pollution today

The pink area indicates possible pollution for tomorrow

Courtesy of the Icelandic Met Office

***BE ALERT***

Holuhraun Lava Field Releasing High Concentration Of Sulphur Dioxide In Iceland

***EXTREME ALERT***

Holuhraun Lava Field Releasing High Concentration Of Sulphur Dioxide In Iceland

A high concentration of sulphur dioxide is forecast from the Holuhraun eruption. Air pollution is likely in the East Fjords, extending North to Vopnafjörður. A larger pollution area cannot be ruled out

***BE ALERT***

Saharan Dust Storm Alert For London, UK

Londoners were today warned that dust from a Saharan storm will contribute to one of the worst smogs of the year this week.

The Met Office has forecast the highest 10 out of 10 level of air pollution in the capital for tomorrow and Wednesday.

Motorists work up to find their cars covered in a thin layer of dust after overnight showers deposited the sand on much of London.

Southerly winds from north Africa brought the fine sand over southern England after it was swept up in a desert storm late last week.

Paul Hutcheon, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “We usually see this happen several times a year, particularly in summer when you get these big dust storms in the western Sahara and the southerly winds to bring that dust here.”

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