I remember reading (a long time ago) that occasionally static electricity in deserts caused headaches, which could be dispelled by earthing oneself. I found th

I remember reading (a long time ago) that occasionally static electricity in deserts caused headaches, which could be dispelled by earthing oneself. I found this on Wikipedia just now (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert#Dust_storms_and_sandstorms http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert#Dust_storms_and_sandstor...): "During a sandstorm, the wind-blown sand particles become electrically charged. Such electric fields, which range in size up to 80 kV/m, can produce sparks and cause interference with telecommunications equipment. They are also unpleasant for humans and can cause headaches and nausea. The electric fields are caused by collision between airborne particles and by the impacts of saltating sand grains landing on the ground. The mechanism is little understood but the particles usually have a negative charge when their diameter is under 250 μm and a positive one when they are over 500 μm." Do you know if these phenomena are connected?