The Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde) warned that mainland Portugal will see poor air quality on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 3–4) due to dust blown from North Africa, raising concentrations of inhalable particles. RTP, Observador, Correio and Dinheiro Vivo report the DGS advising elderly people and children to take extra precautions and recommending reduced outdoor activity during peak pollution. The issue is short-lived but can aggravate respiratory conditions and affect outdoor plans. Those with breathing problems or who care for vulnerable people should follow DGS guidance and local air-quality updates.
Dust from Africa causes poor air quality this week
Monday, 2 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde) is Portugal’s national public health authority that issues guidance on disease control, health alerts and safety of food and water. After Storm Kristin it advised boiling or using bottled water if contamination is suspected, discarding food exposed to floodwater and keeping good hygiene when cleaning affected areas, guidance that residents and recovery workers should follow.
Sources (4)
- DGS warns of poor air quality in the coming days due to dust from AfricaDinheiro Vivo · 2:31pm, 2 Mar 2026
- Authorities warn of "poor air quality" from Tuesday in mainland PortugalRTP Notícias · 1:58pm, 2 Mar 2026
- Portugal with poor air quality over the next two daysObservador · 4:43pm, 2 Mar 2026
- Mainland Portugal to experience poor air quality over the next two days due to dust from AfricaCorreio da Manhã · 2:12pm, 2 Mar 2026
