PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Desert Dust Storms (DDS) refers to the condition created when finer sand particulate matter (PM) from the desert surface is transported over a long distance. DDS pose a major risk to populations residing in affected areas, such as in Mediterranean countries neighbouring the Sahara and Middle East deserts. Exposure to DDS PM has been linked to increased mortality and hospital admissions, especially for cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Susceptible individuals may also experience symptomatic exacerbations of pre-existing conditions, require additional medication and lose their sense of well-being, often with days off work or school. Finally, DDS PM exposure is also associated with sub-clinical effects on the general population, from mild discomfort, eye and skin irritation to substantial impacts on biological processes and quality of life. Climate change is expected to further worsen the frequency and intensity of DDS and lead to higher exposure of southern EU populations to DDS PM.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE-MEDEA project’s main goal was to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of an adaptation strategy to DDS, and to better inform EU policy-making by providing a field-based evidence for the adoption of a strategic plan for mitigating the health effects of DDS events in south-east Europe. The specific aims of the project were to:
- provide evidence for the development of a strategic plan for mitigating the impact of DDS events through exposure reduction;
- design easy-to-implement and sustainable exposure-reduction recommendations to follow during DDS;
- demonstrate the effectiveness of recommendations for reducing exposure to DDS and related adverse impacts on the health of adults with atrial fibrillation and children with asthma;
- demonstrate the feasibility of applying models for early forecasting of DDS events and timely notification of the public, targeting susceptible individuals;
- transfer efficiently the results in Cyprus, Crete and Israel, and network with target bodies in other DDS-exposed regions in southeast Europe;
- ensure continuation of the project’s work after its completion.
From a policy point of view, the project’s actions combined with the e-platform, have improved informed decision-making and increased the resilience, preparedness and capacity of the population to respond to the impacts of climate change, in line with the EU Adaptation Strategy.
RESULTS
The frequency and intensity of DDS events is related to extreme weather conditions that are being enhanced by climate change (strong wind, reduced precipitation, droughts etc).
The project successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of behavioural and technological measures to reduce the exposure to DDS PM and related health effects in field studies involving asthmatic children and atrial fibrillation patients. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these measures was extrapolated to the general population using modelling approaches.
The project developed:
- An online platform collecting real time health data from the patients that participated in the project. The data were used to track both the behavioural responses and health impact of susceptible individuals during DDS events to test the effectiveness of specific measures designed to reduce exposure.
- A forecasting algorithm that was integrated to existing meteorological forecasting methodologies. This has continued to be used post project by the department of Meteorology in Cyprus (CyMET).
- An early warning system (EWS) that is alarming the general population when DDS is expected.
- Specific intervention measures reducing exposure to DDS indoors and outdoors. These were communicated to the general population through the development of a series of short cartoon-based publicities and a TV documentary.
Besides the immediate health benefits, the project identified a net benefit between EUR 150-200 million on an annual basis for the Cypriot GDP from the reduction of mortality and morbidity.
At the latest stages of the project, the Cypriot beneficiaries developed a strategic Action Plan for the reduction of exposure of the population to DDS which has been adopted by the Cyprus government.
