HGP Nightly News – The Environmental Protection Agency is advising residents that the current Saharan Dust event, which has pushed air quality into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range across Georgetown, Whim, and surrounding areas, is expected to persist until late evening on Sunday, March 1.
That means one more hazy weekend. Until then, the microscopic particles known as PM2.5 continue to float through the air at levels exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. Sensors in Eccles and Central Georgetown are picking up the spike.
The haze you see is actually millions of fine particles of sand, dirt, and dust carried all the way from North Africa by high-altitude air currents. For most people, it’s an inconvenience. For children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, it’s a genuine health concern.
The EPA is urging sensitive groups to limit outdoor activities, wear masks if they must be outside, and monitor their health for any signs of difficulty breathing or persistent coughing.
The good news is that Sunday evening marks the turning point. After days of hazy skies and heavy air, conditions are projected to begin improving as the dust plume finally moves on.
