(Trinidad Express) THE Saharan dust plume that crossed the Atlantic Ocean from west Africa is smothering islands in the Caribbean, including Trinidad and Tobago.

Following the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service’s updates over the weekend, in which severe dust haze was recorded on Sunday, the Environmental Management Authority issued precautions to citizens yesterday.

“The Air Quality Index has registered moderate in Trinidad and unhealthy in Tobago at 11 a.m. (yesterday) at the monitoring stations of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in Point Lisas and Signal Hill respectively,” it said.

Increased aggravation of respiratory symptoms in sensitive groups, including older adults, children and people with respiratory ailments and allergies; increased aggravation of heart and lung disease and premature mortality in people with heart or lung disease; increased respiratory effects in the general population.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and people with respiratory ailments or allergies should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.