British Govt warns People with breathing problems as giant cloud of Sahara sand covers Britain in smog Tuesday April 01,2014

Air pollution set to hit 10/10 due to dust from Sahara mixing with local pollution and toxic air from Europe



The dust has been blown across from the Sahara over mainland Europe and into Britain

Those in affected areas advised to reduce strenuous outdoor exercise, especially if they get a sore throat

Adults and children with lung problems, heart problems and pensioners should avoid vigorous activity

Asthma suffers may have to use inhalers more frequently for a few days

Britons are being warned they may suffer breathing problems, with parts of the South Coast, West Country, Midlands and South Wales worst affected.

Those in affected areas are advised to reduce the strenuous outdoor exercise they do, especially if they start to suffer from a cough or sore throat.

HOW THE DUST STORM HAPPENS

A 'coincidence of climatic and meteorological influences', according to experts, has led to Saharan sand being whirled high into the sky and whisked across Africa and mainland Europe before coming down.

A sandstorm over Algeria last week saw sand launched high into the atmosphere.

The Sahara is one of the largest deserts in the world - almost as big as China - and is often battered by strong winds.

With the wind currently arriving here from the South/South-East, the conditions were in place to carry that sand over Cornwall.

Then, light persistent rain yesterday brought it down to earth.

When that rain dried, it left the sand as a visible residue on cars across Cornwall, London, western Wales and Ireland.

This sort of weather event happens several times a year, particularly in the summer, according to forecasters.

Smog covers Canary Wharf in London's Financial district in East London, as a high level of Air Pollution hits the UK

 These dust marks seen on cars in London has been caused by rain containing dust from the Sahara