Sahara Dust Makes Round Rock Air 'Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups'

ROUND ROCK, TX — The Saharan dust that's made its way back to Texas this week has prompted officials to issue air quality alerts for the Round Rock region, local officials said on Tuesday.

Local officials said that in Round Rock, fine particulate matter in the air resulting from widespread African dust has reached levels the Environmental Protection Agency considers “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Children, seniors, adults with chronic respiratory conditions, and people who work outdoors can experience health impacts from prolonged time outdoors today, particularly if they are being active, officials said.

Air quality across the entire state is expected to be impacted by the influx of dust through the rest of this week, with the heaviest dust forecast to shift further inland into western portions of Central and North Central Texas and extending as far as the Big Bend, Permian Basin, and South Plains regions, officials said.

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For a complete air quality forecast, visit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website here: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/air-mon.

Plumes of African dust across the Atlantic are not uncommon over Texas in the summer months, and hundreds of millions of tons of soil is lifted from the Sahara Desert every year, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials. But this season's plume is especially large this year, taking even NASA scientists by surprise.

If all this isn't enough to give you pause, consider this: The Saharan dust itself is made up of the “skeletons” of diatoms — micro-organisms that trace their origin back to when the Bodele depression was full of water — USA Today reported. These diatoms are picked up by winds that are naturally accelerated through a gap in the mountains upwind of the depression, according to the report.

And then there's this: Intense, record-breaking heat expected this week, coupled with the lingering dust from Africa, will be "...like experiencing the desert itself," one scientist says:

Those with allergies or other respiratory issues should limit their time outdoors, or maybe don a surgical-like mask when active outdoors. Also: Make sure you hydrate by drinking plenty of water.

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>>> Photo of clouds darkened by African Saharan dust over Austin in mid-June sunset by Tony Cantú/Patch staff