An analysis of Asian Dust clouds conducted in China in 2001 showed them to contain high concentrations of silicon (2432%), aluminum

(5.97.4%), calcium (6.212%), and iron, numerous toxic substances were also present, although it is thought that heavier materials (such as poisonous mercury and cadmium from coal burning) settle out of the clouds closer to the origin. However, Sarah O'Hara of the University of Nottingham in England, writing for the Lancet says that this doesn't mean that the effects are worse closer to the source. People further from the source of the dust are more often exposed to nearly invisible, fine dust particles that they can unknowingly inhale deep into their lungs, as coarse dust is too big to be deeply inhaled. [1] After inhalation, it can cause long term scarring of lung tissue as well as induce cancer and lung disease.