Street dust season has started in Helsinki region

The Helsinki region has moved into the annual spring street dust season. The region has already seen the first bouts of high dust levels. Air quality can intermittently be poor in many parts of the region.

Airborne particle levels rise in spring when the sun melts roadsides and dries up roads. Fine particles stored on road surfaces and roadsides over winter are released and form dust. Dust levels are at their highest immediately after the roads dry up and when humidity is low. Rainfall markedly reduces street dust levels.

The street dust season usually continues to the beginning of May, by which time the gravel, spread on streets to reduce slipperiness in winter, has been removed.

High particle levels can cause adverse health effects such as a running nose, coughing and irritation in the throat and eyes. Particles can be a health hazard to some including children, those suffering from asthma, and elderly people with cardio-vascular diseases and emphysema.

Exposure to dust can be reduced by avoiding areas of busy traffic. Gravel should always be removed wet. Everybody can contribute to better air quality by removing gravel from their immediate surroundings as soon as the weather conditions allow and by removing their cars from streets about to be cleaned.

Residents can monitor air quality on the air quality pages of HSY Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority and by mobile phone at http://mobi.hsy.fi. Air quality data is also posted on information monitors in Helsinki city trams and metro railcars.