An air mass originating from the deserts of North Africa is expected to cross mainland Portugal on Tuesday, the Directorate General of Health (DGS) said today, recommending “increased care” for the most sensitive groups of the population, such as children and the elderly.
“It is expected that the continent will experience a situation of poor air quality, with an increase in the concentration of naturally occurring inhalable particles in the air, affecting the regions of the North, Center, Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, Alentejo and Algarve,” he said in a statement from the SRS.
According to the Directorate General, this air mass carries suspended dust and is expected to cross mainland Portugal on Tuesday with inhalable particles that have an impact on human health, mainly on the most sensitive groups of the population – children and the elderly, “whose health must be carefully monitored.” “The risk of contamination is doubled during these situations.”
DGS recommends that the population avoid prolonged physical exertion, limit physical activity outdoors and avoid exposure to risk factors such as tobacco smoke and contact with irritating products.
He stressed that children, the elderly, patients with chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, and patients with cardiovascular diseases, due to their greater vulnerability to the effects of the phenomenon, should also stay inside buildings, preferably with windows closed whenever possible, he stressed in a statement.
The DGS also states that chronically ill patients should continue their treatment and, if symptoms worsen, contact the Linha Saúde 24 service or seek medical attention.