Drivers drive through foggy weather due to hamarttan
Emmanuel Lignule, the Bono East Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), says the harmattan season will be severe, urging Ghanaians to take precautionary measures against adverse health risks.
He said the EPA had accordingly installed Air Quality Monitoring Stations in major cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale to measure pollutants and provide daily Air Quality Index reports.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Techiman, Mr Lignule explained that the Authority played a crucial role in mitigating the effects of the dry season and advised the public, especially vulnerable groups, to always wear nose masks to prevent dust inhalation.
He cautioned people with underlying health conditions to limit outdoor activities, saying that pollution levels could trigger allergic reactions thereby, worsening their conditions.
Mr Lignule said the EPA was responsible for managing and protecting the environment, saying the Authority had been working to tackle environmental issues like air pollution, implementing measures to reduce the impact of the harmattan.
He said: “The EPA is taking steps to address the impact of the harmattan through frequent public education, sensitising the public on health hazards associated with the season for the members of the public to protect themselves”.
“The season brings in a dry and dusty atmosphere that brings health risks like skin dryness, respiratory challenges, and eye irritation,” he alerted, saying the Authority had launched a National Adaptation Plan to strengthen the nation’s climate resilience.
The plan would greatly reduce vulnerability to climate change, improve air quality, manage waste, and promote sustainable practices.
Commenting, Dr Ernest Ameyaw, the Medical Director at the Techiman Holy Family Hospital, advised the public to also wear nose masks, moisturize their skin, and stay hydrated.
He also urged the public to drink water frequently, eat more fruits, urging people with asthmatic conditions to be conscious of their health by staying away from dusty environments.
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