High dust concentrations were recorded across Cyprus on Monday, prompting authorities to warn vulnerable groups to stay indoors until the phenomenon passes.
The Department of Labour Inspection said measurements from its Air Quality Monitoring Network ground stations showed elevated levels of inhalable particles that may negatively affect human health.
Paphos recorded the highest reading at 191.0 μg/m³ at 10:00 a.m., nearly four times the daily safety threshold of 50 μg/m³.
Limassol measured 133.0 μg/m³, whilst Paralimni reached 83.8 μg/m³ and Larnaca 65.1 μg/m³.
The public, particularly children, elderly people, and patients, are urged to avoid outdoor areas until conditions improve.
Employers must take appropriate organisational or technical measures after assessing risks for employees working in open spaces, according to the Safety and Health at Work regulations 2022.
Workers in such areas are advised to use suitable personal protective equipment.
The department defines dust as inhalable suspended particles in the atmosphere with a diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM10). The threshold value refers to the daily average and must not exceed 50 μg/m³.
Other readings at 10:00 a.m. included Nicosia at 40.1 μg/m³, Zygi at 42.7 μg/m³, and Agia Marina Xyliatou at 53.5 μg/m³.
Continuous updates on hourly measurements are available at www.airquality.gov.cy and through the free “Air Quality Cyprus” mobile app.
(information from CNA)