# Sand and Dust Storms: Impact Mitigation
## 4 SDS Hazards and Their Mitigation
### SDS Impact Mitigation
Information on dust storms and safety, including what to do if caught driving in blowing dust, is also made available on dedicated websites (e.g., pullasidestayalive.org). In urban landscapes, increasing vegetation cover is a long-term measure that is likely to help reduce the health problems associated with atmospheric PM\({}_{10}\) and PM\({}_{2.5}\) concentrations as well as biological and chemical aspects of pollution [123]. Green vegetation has the potential to reduce pollutants through filtration [124], while also regulating microclimatic conditions in a way that offers at least perceived benefits and well-being [125]. Research into the importance of urban green spaces in pollution reduction has been driven largely by health effects from industrial and vehicle emissions, but is also relevant to soil dust. One study of US cities estimated the monetary value of adverse health \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c} \hline \hline
**Hypothesis** & **Reference** \\ \hline Increase in invasion rate (i.e., shift from carrier to infected status) due to high dust loads and persistent low humidity damaging immune defenses in the mouth and easing bacterial invasion & [117] \\ Higher transmission levels due to changes in living habits, such as proximity of individuals taking refuge from dusty winds & [116] \\ Co-occurrence of viral respiratory infections weakening the immune system and easing transmission and invasion by bacteria & [118] \\ _Neisseria_ bacteria, responsible for meningitis, require iron-rich dust to grow and become virulent & [119] \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 4: Possible explanations for the impact of desert dust on meningitis epidemics in West Africa [3]. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c} \hline \hline
**Advice** \\ \hline Avoid exposure if possible \\ Stay indoors (preferably in air conditioned buildings) \\ Do not exercise (postpone outdoor sports events) \\ Follow asthma plans and seek medical help if respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms occur \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: Typical public health messages associated with dust storm conditions. effects (i.e., mortality and morbidity) countered by urban trees: [PERSON] et al. (1998) calculated the value of PM\({}_{2.5}\) removal in ten cities ranged from US $1 million to US $60 million per year. In the shorter term, the efficient filtration of air supply into buildings can have health benefits. Another US study found that in areas where sealed and air conditioned buildings are common, the dose-response rate for PM\({}_{10}\) induced morbidity was lower than in areas with milder climate where open windows are used more commonly for ventilation, suggesting a safety factor created by the sealed building envelope ([PERSON], 2017). Similar technology can be used to clean air entering sensitive manufacturing plants, such as electronics component manufacturers. [PERSON] (2018) describes how Samsung in South Korea has introduced systems to reduce the number of faults in components manufactured during SDS events. Outdoor facilities have to use different options. Identification of appropriate cleaning/ maintenance operations for photovoltaic (PV) systems is dependent on numerous factors, including site-specific environmental and weather conditions, but [PERSON] and [PERSON] (2019) present a series of recommendations based on their survey of the literature. Prominent among the options is periodic cleaning and the adoption/application of dust-repelling coatings. The authors also note the balance that needs to be struck in low latitudes between the low tilt angle required for PV systems to maximize solar gain and the fact that such lower tilts accumulate higher dust deposition.