Corpus Christi Air Quality Impacted by Saharan Dust

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are monitoring Saharan dust moving into the area from northern Africa. The dust originates in the Sahara Desert and can be blown thousands of miles.

The Saharan dust is expected to arrive in Corpus Christi today and will continue through the weekend for South Texas and the southern Coastal Bend, with plumes spreading inland.

Corpus Christi could see levels into the upper end of the ‘Moderate’ range or lower end of the ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ range.

The Saharan dust is an environmental trigger affecting individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, or other respiratory illnesses. Dust inhalation can lead to sneezing, persistent cough, and asthma attacks. Children, active adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion when the Saharan dust is present.

Individuals can self-monitor the air quality by visiting www.airnow.gov.

For media inquiries, contact Health District Public Information Officer Brittany Claramunt at 361-826-7232 or email at brittanyc4@cctexas.com.