Disseminating Critical Climate Information
Disseminating Critical Climate Information

FACT CHECK: No, Sierra Leone’s harmattan weather is not extreme air pollution

A widely circulated social media message claims that the current weather in Sierra Leone is not harmattan but an extreme form of air pollution harmful to health.

The message attributes this information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and lists several alleged health risks, including reduced lung function, respiratory infections, inflammation, and oxidative stress. 

It also suggests precautionary measures such as wearing a nose mask, drinking warm water, avoiding air conditioning at night, and applying shea butter before bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE CLAIM

A keyword search by CheckClimate Africa revealed that this claim has circulated between Nigeria and Sierra Leone in recent years. 

In January 2024, a similar post was shared on Facebook and WhatsApp groups in Nigeria, asserting that the weather conditions at the time was not harmattan but an extreme form of air pollution harmful to the health of Nigerians.

The claim seems to have first surfaced in February 2023, from Heroes GHNews, a Ghanaian news outlet. At the time, the publication issued a warning to Ghanaians about the potential health risks associated with what they termed “extreme air pollution.”

“Information from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), GMA/GMet (Ghana Meteorological Agency), and GHS (Ghana Health Service) is that the current change in weather/atmosphere across the country is not harmattan, but rather an extreme form of air pollution with dire consequences on human health,” a portion of the report reads.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN NIGERIAN AND SIERRA LEONEAN WEATHER

Nigeria and Sierra Leone share a tropical climate characterised by high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. However, Nigeria’s climate is more diverse, encompassing three distinct zones—rainforest, savannah, and semi-arid—while Sierra Leone’s climate primarily alternates between two main seasons.

Sierra Leone experiences a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October/November. In contrast, the southern regions in Nigeria have a rainy season from March/April to October, while the northern regions experience a shorter rainy season (June to September) and a long dry season.

Both countries, influenced by the West African Monsoon, exhibit similar seasonal patterns of rain and dryness.

HARMATTAN IN WEST AFRICA

Harmattan is a dry and dusty season that occurs in West Africa, including Nigeria and Sierra Leone, from late November to mid-March. It is driven by a dry, northeasterly trade wind originating from the Sahara Desert. The season is characterised by hazy skies, cooler temperatures, reduced humidity, and minimal rainfall.

Harmattan provides relief from the heat, however, it can cause health issues such as respiratory problems, aggravated asthma, dry skin, and chapped lips and eyes. Protective measures, such as staying hydrated, using moisturisers, and limiting exposure to dust, are recommended.

VERIFICATION OF THE CLAIM

To verify the claim, Sierra Check, a fact-checking organisation in Sierra Leone, contacted Ishmael Kindama Dumbuya, the External Relations and Advocacy Manager at the Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA-SL).  He said the information in circulation is “fake and did not come from the EPA”. 

“The same claim was shared last year, and we issued a disclaimer,” he added.

Another news platform, AYV Newsclarified through its X page (formerly Twitter) that the post attributed to the Sierra Leonean government was fabricated. 

In February 2024, the EPA-SL issued a statement through its official Facebook page debunking similar claims.

“Our attention has been called to a notification published on social media that describes high air pollution with serious effects on human health,” the statement reads. 

“The Environment Protection Agency (EPA-SL) desires to alert the general public that no recent standardisation was undertaken to arrive at the purportedly identified hazardous risks. The results of our initiatives shall be evidence-based and properly disseminated.”

VERDICT

The claim that Sierra Leone’s environmental authority has classified the current 2025 weather as extreme air pollution, rather than harmattan, is false. This misinformation has repeatedly circulated between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

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