A public health physician and epidemiologist, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, has advised Nigerians to adopt preventive measures against the adverse effects of hazy weather being experienced in some parts of the country.
The epidemiologist stated that hazy weather had negative effects on health, warning that it could cause broken lips and worsen the health of those with existing respiratory diseases like asthma.
Olugbogi, who is the Medical Officer of Health, Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, also advised Nigerians to wear face masks to cushion the effects.
Hazy weather conditions reduce visibility due to light mist, hot air, or dust.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, haze is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air, adding that air pollutants come from a variety of natural and manmade sources.
According to the agency, natural sources include windblown dust, and soot from wildfires while manmade sources can include motor vehicles, electric utility and industrial fuel burning, and manufacturing operations.
The physician said children, the elderly, and people with chronic lung diseases or heart diseases were more sensitive to the health effects of haze, and should adopt preventive measures.
Olugbogi said, “Some people’s lips can be broken and the dust itself can cause certain respiratory tract infections. The dust can also be bad for people who have asthma or people who are prone to asthma attacks.
“The dust is also bad for the eyes of people who climb on motorcycles a lot. The dust is bad for their eyes. For those who already have eye infections or who have eye irritations, it can cause their irritations to be worse.
“People can also swallow a lot of dust, especially those who walk or sell by the roadsides and they can have respiratory tract infections. They can also have throat irritation and all sorts of irritations.”
Giving further insight into the effects of hazy weather on the skin, the physician added, “It can cause skin rashes and cosmetically when people take their bath and they don’t apply cream on their body, their skin can be unpleasant to look at.
“The weather is also a bit difficult for some people to manage. The weather can be hard on those who have arthritis in the morning when it is very cold.”
