The UAE is just the latest country in the path of sandstorms that have smothered Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and others in recent days, closing airports and schools and sending thousands to hospital with breathing problems. Capital city Abu Dhabi's air quality index (AQI) soared into the "hazardous" zone overnight, according to waqi.info and the Plume pollution app. The Middle East's sandstorms are becoming more frequent and intense, a trend associated with overgrazing and deforestation, overuse of river water and more dams. Experts say the phenomenon could worsen as climate change warps regional weather patterns and drives desertification. AAF has a solution for this too, the S-Trap inertial filters is designed as a bolt-on pre-filter for air handling units, engines and other machinery in areas with sand or dust storms or with exposure to heavy dust loads. The S-Trap HD (STHD) casing and other critical parts are made from thicker 3mm steel and welded togethe