Sahara sand slightly radioactive

Telma WRS

The recent orange glow caused by Sahara sand in the atmosphere also brought radioactivity with it.

Samples taken by French authorities in the Jura mountains, close to the Swiss border was found to have cesium-137. 

That’s not naturally occurring. It’s left over from French atom bomb tests carried out in the Algerian desert in the 1960s. 
But experts say there’s no need to worry – the level is very low. 

However, more sand is arriving and a yellow pollution alert has been issued around the Lake Geneva basin. It’s nothing to do with the radiation – but it could cause some problems for those with breathing difficulties. 

They’re being advised not to take strenuous exercise and stay away from areas with heavy traffic. Some speed limits have been reduced in an effort to cut pollution. 
 

More from Bitesize News