Impact of Mineral Dust on Air Quality: Case Study from Cabo Verde

Mineral dust negatively impacts air quality and has been linked to health risks and mortality. This study quantifies the contribution of mineral dust to air pollution in São Vicente, Cabo Verde. A total of 129 particulate matter (PM10) filter samples were collected at a strategic site using a high-volume (HV) sampler in 2018. The mass concentration of the particles was determined using gravimetry. The results showed that the average annual PM10 concentration (43 µg/m3) in São Vicente, Cabo Verde, was more than twice the air quality guideline defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU). Additionally, 25% of the PM10 samples exceeded the WHO daily PM10 threshold (50 µg/m3), with dust outbreaks responsible for 34% of these samples. Overall, dust influence represented 47% of PM10 mass concentration throughout the year. A strong temporal variation in PM10 mass concentration was observed. The highest concentration was in January (90.7 ± 77.4 µg/m3) and the lowest in May (18.7 ± 4.3 µg/m3). Elevated PM10 concentrations indicate that public health may be at risk from high PM10 exposure.