Sand and dust storms are inflicting mounting costs on human health and economies worldwide, according to a major new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Released to mark the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms on 12 July, the annual WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin highlights hotspots. It also emphasizes the rising impacts of this under-recognized hazard. This issue affects about 330 million people across more than 150 countries.
The global average of annual dust concentrations in 2024 was slightly lower than in 2023. Many regions saw dust levels well above the long-term average.
A new indicator developed by the WMO and the World Health Organization shows nearly 3.8 billion people—almost half the world’s population—were exposed to dust exceeding WHO safety thresholds between 2018 and 2022.
This represents a 31% increase compared to the previous period. In some areas, residents faced unhealthy dust levels on more than 87% of days. This is equivalent to over 1,600 days in five years.
SEVERE ECONOMIC COSTS AND DISRUPTION
The economic toll of sand and dust storms is often underestimated. In the United States alone, dust and wind erosion cost an estimated USD 154 billion in 2017. This was more than four times higher than in 1995.
These losses stem from damage to crops, household cleaning costs, disruptions to solar energy production, transport delays, and public health impacts, including respiratory illnesses and Valley fever.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stressed that the real costs are likely even higher. Many impacts remain unaccounted for in national statistics.
SHIFTING PATTERNS AND GLOBAL HOTSPOTS
Every year, around 2,000 million tons of sand and dust enter the atmosphere. This is equivalent to filling 307 Great Pyramids of Giza. Over 80% of this dust originates from deserts in North Africa and the Middle East.
In 2024, the Bodélé Depression in Chad remained the world’s most significant dust source. Annual mean surface dust concentrations reached 800–1100 µg/m³.
Dust traveled thousands of kilometers across oceans, with transatlantic transport reaching the Caribbean and affecting air quality across South America and the Mediterranean.
NOTABLE DUST STORM EVENTS IN 2024
Several intense storms disrupted life across continents:
- Canary Islands: Powerful Harmattan winds carried Saharan dust to Spain’s Canary Islands in December, reducing visibility and impacting daily activities.
- East Asia: Fourteen dust storms hit China, with Beijing recording PM10 concentrations over 1,000 µg/m³ in March.
- West Asia: Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the Arabian Peninsula endured an exceptional winter storm that grounded flights and closed schools.
HUMAN ACTIVITIES AMPLIFY NATURAL PROCESSES
While dust storms are partly natural, land degradation, poor water management, and drought are intensifying their frequency and severity, the WMO warned.
High spring temperatures and drought in Mongolia, for example, contributed to rare summer dust storms in northern China, illustrating the growing link between extreme weather and air pollution.
URGENT CALL FOR EARLY WARNINGS AND ACTION
The WMO report underscores the need for investment in monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems to protect lives and economies.
“These storms do not just mean dirty windows and hazy skies,” Ms. Saulo said. “They harm health and cost millions of dollars in damage and disruption. Early warnings and mitigation measures can save lives and bring substantial economic benefits.”
The WMO’s Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System coordinates regional efforts, with operational centres in Spain, Saudi Arabia, China, and Barbados.
A Decade of Global Cooperation Ahead
The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2025–2034 as the International Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, aiming to drive international cooperation and action.
As sand and dust storms intensify with climate change, the report calls on policymakers to prioritize investments that reduce vulnerability, improve air quality, and protect communities worldwide.
