Overview of current limitations and challenges in data and methods for assessing the health effects of sand and dust storms under the climate change scenario

Abstract

Sand and dust storms (SDS) present significant challenges in assessing their health effects, particularly as climate change may exacerbate desertification in some regions, potentially leading to more frequent and intense dust storms. This paper examines the current limitations and methodological issues in evaluating the health impacts of desert dust. While ecological time-series studies have effective in addressing the short-term health effects of air pollution, desert dust exposure introduces unique complexities to conventional methods. Key challenges include dust exposure metrics, exposure assessment methods, desert dust origin, and the type of impacted areas. The potential for increased dust storm activity in some regions, driven by climate change and desertification, underscores the need for more accurate exposure methods to assess the health effects of SDS. Addressing these limitations is essential to improving our understanding of the health risks posed by desert dust, particularly in the current context of a changing climate.