Changes

====Health impacts of harmattan dust====

====Health impacts of harmattan dust====

In Nigeria, the most important source of dust is the Sahara Desert. Its influence arrives in Nigeria in the form of harmattan mainly in the months of December, January and February. Harmattan wind transports very fine particulate matter which may be toxic inorganic or organic particles and/or pathogens (Fig. 11). This triggers or strengthens respiratory problems such as asthma and catarrh.

[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_11.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|11}}Dust storm as it approaches Bagdad, Iraq (Selinus et al, 2010).]]

[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_11.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|11}}]]

In Nigeria, the most important source of dust is the Sahara Desert. Its influence arrives in Nigeria in the form of harmattan mainly in the months of December, January and February. Harmattan wind transports very fine particulate matter which may be toxic inorganic or organic particles and/or pathogens ([[:File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_11.png|Figure 11]]). This triggers or strengthens respiratory problems such as asthma and catarrh.

Another important source of dust in Nigeria is unpaved roads. The passage of traffic cause particulate matter to rise from roads causing untold damage to people’s respiratory systems.

Another important source of dust in Nigeria is unpaved roads. The passage of traffic cause particulate matter to rise from roads causing untold damage to people’s respiratory systems.