Filenews 1 November 2021
High concentrations of dust are observed today, November 1, 2021, in the atmosphere, according to the measurements of the ground stations of the Air Quality Monitoring Network of the Department of Labour Inspection.
Because the powder contains small-sized inhalable particles that may have a negative effect on human health, the Department urges the public and especially vulnerable population groups (children, the elderly and the sick) to avoid circulating in open spaces until the phenomenon is over.
Employers must take appropriate measures (organizational or even technical), after assessing the risks to their employees who are in open spaces, and employees in such areas are advised to use appropriate means of personal protection.
For information, the last hourly dust concentration values measured at 8:00 a.m. in the following areas were:
Nicosia: 82 μg/m3
Limassol: 72 μg/m3
Larnaca: 62 μg/m3
Paphos: 65 μg/m3
Paralimni: 51 μg/m3
Zygi: 47 μg/m3
Agia Marina Xyliatou: 72 μg/m3
Note that "dust" means inhalable particulate matter in the atmosphere with a diameter of less than 10 μm (PM10). According to the relevant legislation, the limit value refers to the average daily value and must not exceed the value of 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter).
More information and continuous, direct information on the results of the hourly measurements can be found on the website www.airquality.gov.cy and the application ''Air Quality Cyprus'', which can be installed free of charge on a mobile phone.
