GH015-0010
Understanding the Community Perception of “Godzilla” Mega African Dust Event over Puerto Rico in June 2020: Strategy to improve Air Quality Early Warning Systems

Tuesday, 15 December 2020
Poster
Pablo Mendez-Lazaro1, Cynthia M Perez-Cardona2, Ana P Ortiz-Martinez3, Edgar Perez-Matias4, Olga L Mayol-Bracero5, Daniel Brooks Otis6, Digna T Rueda-Roa7 and Frank E Muller-Karger6, (1)University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Environmental Health Department, San Juan, PR, United States, (2)University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, San Juan, United States, (3)University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, San Juan, PR, United States, (4)Organization Not Listed, Washington, DC, United States, (5)University of Puerto Rio Piedras Campus, Department of Environmental Science, San Juan, PR, United States, (6)University of South Florida St. Petersburg, IMaRS, St Petersburg, FL, United States, (7)University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Abstract:
On June, 2020, the Caribbean region suffered a historic African (Saharan) dust plume. The dust plume was big enough (in extent and magnitude) to cover areas in the Caribbean Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and the United States. Using satellite observations from MODIS, VIIRS and CALIOP (aerosol optical depth – AOD), our research team got in contact with public health practitioners, stakeholders, decision makers, weather forecasters, health clinics and physicians to alert about deterioration in air quality and the “unhealthy conditions” approaching the Island of Puerto Rico. We did webinars and press releases to communicate about the Hazardous Conditions in order to protect vulnerable populations. To assess community perceptions on the Saharan dust cloud, we conducted an online survey over ten days that yielded 1,504 responses. Most respondents were females (82%), 51% were 25-44 years, 96% had healthcare coverage, and 65% had a history of at least one chronic condition. Asthma was the most reported condition (55%). Nearly 90% indicated that Saharan dust affected their health status and also of their family members. Over half (57%) reported that the Saharan dust always or frequently affected their health, causing postnasal drip, cough, red or itchy eyes, shortness of breath, and fatigue. However, only 12% reported a physician’s visit due to Saharan dust complications. Moreover, nearly two-thirds expressed concern regarding their family’s welfare during the Saharan dust events. Although survey participation may have been influenced by perception of risk to this environmental hazard, study findings highlight the urgent need for continued and more in-depth analyses of the health impact of Saharan dust intrusions in the population. This will be essential to further characterize health risks in the general population and among specific population sub-groups, before developing public health strategies to minimize exacerbation of respiratory and other health conditions in Puerto Rico.

Acknowledgements: Supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Grant: #80NSSC19K0194

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