Every year, the Harmattan season sweeps across West Africa, bringing dry winds and thick dust from the Sahara Desert. While many people notice the cold mornings and hazy skies, for people living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Harmattan can be far more than an inconvenience it can be dangerous.
Harmattan usually lasts from November to March. During this time, the air is filled with tiny dust particles that can travel long distances. These fine particles are easily inhaled and can irritate the lungs, especially in people who already have breathing problems.
COPD is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe due to blocked airways. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, responsible for about 3.5 million deaths in 2021 alone. Alarmingly, nearly 90% of COPD-related deaths among people under 70 occur in low- and middle-income countries, including many in Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dust in the air is a well-known trigger for COPD flare-ups. Research shows that different sizes of dust particles especially very fine ones can worsen lung health. For someone with COPD, breathing in this dust can quickly lead to severe symptoms such as persistent coughing, excess mucus, chest tightness, and extreme shortness of breath. In serious cases, this can become life-threatening.
Studies from regions affected by heavy dust have consistently linked Harmattan-like conditions to more hospital visits for breathing difficulties. Some research has shown noticeable increases in hospital admissions following major dust events. To make matters worse, the dust can also carry germs like bacterial and fungal spores, which can further irritate the lungs or cause infections.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce the risk. Health authorities advise people with COPD to keep an eye on air quality reports, stay indoors when dust levels are high, and wear face masks when going outside. Using air purifiers at home can also help. Most importantly, people with COPD should continue taking their prescribed inhalers and medications as directed by their doctors.
As Harmattan returns each year, awareness and simple precautions can make a big difference helping those with COPD breathe easier and stay safe during the dusty season.
Relevant Citations
● World Health Organization. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024 Nov 6. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd.
● Xing YF, Xu YH, Shi MH, Lian YX. The impact of PM2.5 on the human respiratory system. J Thorac Dis. 2016;8(1): E69-E74. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2016.01.19.
● Hashizume M, Kim Y, Ng CF, Chung Y, Madaniyazi L, Bell ML, Guo YL, Kan H, Honda Y, Yi SM, Kim H. Health effects of Asian dust: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental health perspectives. 2020 Jun 26;128(6):066001.
