A massive cloud of dust, expected to cover Athens in the coming days, may result in an increase in heart and respiratory problems of up to 10 percent, according to experts.

Meteorologists predict the dust, brought from the Sahara Desert by a southerly wind, is expected to reach the country around Monday.

Research shows that the airborne particles, or fine sand, are considerably larger that those normally found in city smog and can be more dangerous.

“When strong southerly winds blow over areas such as lakes in northern Algeria, they also take with them bacteria,” said Giorgos Kalos, associate professor of meteorology at the University of Athens.

“This is then carried in a shell formed by salt and other matter and these organisms enter our geographical region,” he added.