Guadeloupe on red alert for fine particle pollution, the second time in less than a month

Guadeloupe was placed on red alert on Wednesday May 8 by the air quality monitoring body Gwad’air for exceeding concentration thresholds for fine PM10 particles, the prefecture announced. This is the second time in less than a month.

The forecasts for Wednesday and Thursday are those “exceeding the alert threshold of 80 micrograms per cubic meter over twenty-four hours” in terms of PM10 fine particle pollution, detailed Gwad’air, recalling that after “several consecutive days of exceeding the regulatory thresholds (…) the alert procedure was triggered ».

This pollution is due to “passage of air masses laden with desert dust over our territory” said the prefecture.

Guadeloupe is regularly plagued by sand mist pollution, dust from the Sahara and the Sahel transported at high altitude by the trade winds to the Antilles and causing thick mists making the air unbreathable.

During their visit, many people feel their eyes sting or their throat dry, or even have breathing difficulties, leading to numerous health recommendations, particularly for vulnerable people, such as young children, the elderly or pregnant women. The phenomenon, which occurs all year round, is however reinforced from April to October in the region.

A study published in 2019 showed a link between the exposure of pregnant women to fine particles and the risk of premature birth in the Antilles.