The over-week-long harmful dust in the air is expected to leave Cyprus as from Friday afternoon.
But authorities have warned that high concentrations are still observed in the air, according to measurements from ground Stations of the Air Quality Monitoring Network.
That’s why vulnerable groups of society should still avoid outdoor spaces since the fine respirable particles in dust may have negative effects on human health.
Moreover, employers must take appropriate organizational and/or technical measures after assessing any risks that their employees may face while working in open spaces.
As for labourers, they are advised to use appropriate means of personal protection when working outdoors.
In detail, the hourly dust concentrations measured at 7:00 am in the following areas are:
Lefkosia: 92.4 μg/m3
Lemesos: 100.6 μg/m3
Larnaka: 88.3 μg/m3
Paralimni: 98.0 μg/m3
Pafos: 109.8 μg/m3
Zygi: 74.5 μg/m3
Agia Marina Xyliatou: 118.9 μg/m3
‘Dust’ refers to respirable particulate matter of a diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM10) in the air.
According to the relevant legislation, a limit value not to be exceeded is set for the daily average concentrations at 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter).
More information on the measured pollutant concentrations and real-time updates is available online at www.airquality.gov.cy and also through the free mobile application “Air Quality Cyprus”.