Desert-dust (soil-derived airborne particles) impacts both physical and human environments. During dust storms particulate matter (PM) may increases above the standard value for acceptable air quality. The objective is to explore the impact of chronic and acute exposure to desert-dust on respiratory diseases (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease–COPD) in space and time. The research is conducted in the Northern Negev, which is located at the margin of the largest global dust belt. At the first phase of the project we explored the association between dust storms and COPD exacerbations during the last decade. The data analyses indicate high levels over time of atmospheric PM with origins in desert-dust, and significant influence of PM10 on the incidence of COPD exacerbations. At the second phase we prospectively investigate the impact of individual PM (outdoor and indoor) exposure on COPD patients. During the household visits, outdoor and indoor PM is measured in subject household environments at the baseline and during dust storms together with administering a detailed health questionnaire, blood tests and respiratory functions assessment. The two-phase data integration enables identification of exposure and risk patterns and spatio-temporal investigation of the association between dust exposure and clinical conditions.
