Sandstorms: One of Nature’s Dangerous Phenomenons

If you live in Beijing, the capital of China, or have recently been there, you would know of the giant sandstorm that hit the city, causing pollution and air quality levels to reach dangerous levels. As I also live in Beijing, today, we’re looking into how these sandstorms form, potential health threats posed by these storms, and how to protect yourself when in the mists of one.

So let’s start with Beijing’s sandstorms. It’s not uncommon for Beijing and other parts of China to get hit with these sandstorms, as this current one is already the eighth to hit the capital city this year. The cause of these storms is mainly due to Beijing’s geographical location. Being nearby the Gobi Desert, which stretches from northeastern China to southern Mongolia, sandstorms form relatively often. According to Chinadaily, the sandstorm originated because of a Mongolian cyclone. The resulting winds picked up sand and dust, which got transported at high altitudes and eventually settled in downstream areas such as Beijing, resulting in the sandstorm. The Gobi desert is also impressive, as it is the largest one on the Asian continent.

That’s the cause of these sandstorms that are hitting Beijing. Then what are the health effects that one could bring? These sand particles, even though similar to those found on beaches, can become very dangerous in a sandstorm. Breathing without any protection could cause health problems, like allergic reactions, as pollutants and heavy metals can get transported by sandstorms. The visibility of roads also deteriorates during such storms, which could cause accidents for those driving a vehicle or pedestrians.

So those are some of the hazards that sandstorms bring, with unpredictable consequences depending on the person, from irritations to serious health issues. Then what could one do to protect themselves and others? If you’re driving a vehicle when a powerful sandstorm hits, and you can’t see well, the best way to avoid accidents is to pull off the road, stop the car, and then wait for it to pass. And if you’re the pedestrian in this case, try to get indoors and close all passages that the harmful particles could get through. If one cannot get indoors in time, try to protect the nose and mouth, and if possible, always put on a hat or hoodie. These are all ways to handle sandstorms, both normal and serious ones. But the best way to avoid them is stay inside if one is coming.

That sums up today’s article on sandstorms. No matter where you live, sandstorms and other natural phenomena could get to you, so it’s always best to take precautions, like checking the weather forecast for your region whenever going outside. That’s the end of this production from the New News Newsminute. Thank you for reading. Stay safe, and stay healthy.