Cyprus is experiencing one of its most extreme dust episodes in a decade, with airborne particle concentrations exceeding 200 μg/m³ and authorities ordering the suspension of all outdoor work and activities.
Levels are expected to remain high until Saturday afternoon before gradually easing.
The Ministry of Health has advised the public to avoid outdoor activities and physical exercise, limit time outside and use a protective mask with a dust filter or a wet cloth when going outdoors. High-risk groups — including people with respiratory problems, heart disease, kidney disease or immunodeficiency, as well as children and people over 65 — should contact their doctor or attend an Accident and Emergency department if symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulty or eye and nose irritation develop.
“This is considered extreme,” Philippos Tymvios, Director of the Department of Meteorology, told Philenews. “It would not be an exaggeration to say that episodes this strong are recorded once every ten years.” The episode is connected to the phenomenon that turned skies red over the Greek islands recently.
A low pressure system over the desert surface lifted dust into the atmosphere, moved north, and merged with barometric low Erminio over the Aegean, carrying the dust to Cyprus. A similar but less intense episode occurred in 2015.
The episode began at 03:00 on Thursday and is currently at its peak. Dust levels will begin to ease after Saturday afternoon, though the atmosphere will not clear completely — concentrations will drop below alert levels. Rain forecast for next week is expected to clear the atmosphere further.
Tymvios noted that the European warning system does not currently include dust as a warning factor. Had it done so, today would have warranted a red warning, given both the exceptional duration of the episode and the high concentration of airborne particles.
The Department of Labour Inspection announced on Friday morning that all outdoor work must be suspended and rescheduled under the 2022 Dust Episode Regulation, after monitoring stations recorded PM10 concentrations exceeding 200 μg/m³. The Cyprus Football Association issued the same recommendation, noting that dust levels today are many times above permitted limits and advising that outdoor activities should cease when hourly PM10 concentrations exceed 100 μg/m³.
Both bodies said they will continue monitoring the situation. Current air quality levels are available at www.airquality.gov.cy.
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