A POTENTIALLY deadly combination of toxic air mixed with a dust cloud from the Sahara has sparked a warning by health chiefs.

People in Hampshire with underlying medical and respiratory conditions including asthma have been urged to take extra precautions today as the poor air quality could trigger further health problems.

Vulnerable people are being urged to reduce the amount of physical activity they do and those particularly at risk should avoid it all together.

Health bosses are warning that usual symptoms could get worst during the course of the day and asthma sufferers could find the need to use their inhalers more often.

They include adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, older people and those with other on-going health issues.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says the whole of the UK will be affected but the south will be the worst affected with the Met office warning of ‘very high’ levels of pollution sweeping across Hampshire.

The warning comes just three weeks after the last wave of smog prompted a heath warning but experts say today’s air quality could pose more of a risk to health as the warm, sunny weather mixed with Saharan dust and pollution from both the UK and Europe is set to exacerbate the problem.

A Met office spokesman said: “We have got high pressure at the moment and what that means is that we don’t have much air circulation. We have light winds and that just allows the home grown pollution to build up here in the UK.

“That starts to move out of the way today and that starts up a light flow of air from the continent which contributes to the home grown pollution and then pushes the air quality down a little bit more.”

Forecasters expect the pollution to clear by 6am tomorrow after clearer air from the Atlantic arrives but Defra and Public Health England (PHE) are urging people to stay safe this weekend and look out for friends, relatives and neighbours who may be particularly at risk.

Daily Echo: Map showing the levels of air pollution expected today

A Defra spokeswoman said: “It’s quite difficult to pin point the exact time but it will be the majority of today .

“We always urge people to be careful after air pollution events in case it lingers in certain areas.”

Dr Sotiris Vardoulakis, head of the air pollution and climate change group at Public Health England (PHE) said people with existing heart or lung conditions could find their symptoms get worse and those who use an inhaler may need to use it more often.

He said: “On occasions where levels are high, adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion. Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors.”

FACTFILE

Saharan dust Saharan dust is a mixture of dessert sand and dust which arrives in the UK several times a year and can affect air quality and pollution levels.

Storms and strong winds blow over the vast north African desserts, pulling sand and dust into the atmosphere where it travels thousands of miles to other parts of the world in pockets of air pressure.

The dust usually falls on the UK with rain.