World Meteorological Organization: The increasing losses caused by dust storms to human health and the economy.

July 12th is International Day for the Prevention of Sandstorms. On the 10th, the World Meteorological Organization released the 2025 "Dust Bulletin." The report points out that the losses caused by sandstorms to human health and the economy are increasing. According to new indicators developed by the World Meteorological Organization and the World Health Organization, from 2018 to 2022, 3.8 billion people worldwide were exposed to dust levels above the safety threshold determined by the World Health Organization. This is a 31% increase from the 2.9 billion people from 2003 to 2007. The report states that while sandstorms are mostly natural processes, poor water resources and land management, drought, and environmental degradation have become increasingly important factors.