Filenews 15 November 2021
High concentrations of dust are observed today, Monday, November 15, 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, which may have a negative effect on human health, the public and especially vulnerable population groups (children, the elderly and the sick) are encouraged 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: 122.4 μg/m3
Limassol: 72.4 μg/m3
Larnaca: 81 μg/m3
Paphos: 89.4 μg/m3
Paralimni: 50.8 μg/m3
Zygi: 50.9 μg/m3
Agia Marina Xyliatou: 49 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 metre).
More information and continuous, immediate 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.
Weather forecast until Thursday
Eastern air current, receding tonight, is affecting the region. Sparse dust will be observed in the atmosphere from time to time, the concentrations of which are likely to be temporarily increased.
Today Monday, the weather will be mostly clear but in the morning there will be temporarily increased average and high clouds. Winds will blow northeast to southeast and in the afternoon to the west variable, weak to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort but transient in the morning on the windward coast moderate, 4 Beaufort. The sea will be calm until a little turbulent in the west, but a little turbulent and locally until turbulent on the rest of the coast. The temperature will rise to around 27 degrees in the interior and north coasts, around 26 degrees on the south coast, around 25 degrees on the rest of the coast and around 19 degrees in the higher mountains.
Tonight, the weather will be mostly clear. Winds will blow northwest to northeast, weak, 3 Beaufort and the sea will be calm until a little turbulent. The temperature will drop to around 12 degrees in the interior, around 14 degrees on the coast and around 11 degrees in the higher mountains.
On Tuesday, the weather will be mostly clear but at night increased high clouds are expected.
On Wednesday and Thursday the weather will be mostly clear, but temporarily increased average and high clouds will appear, which on Wednesday afternoon it is not excluded that locally they may give isolated, mostly light, rain.
During the three-day period, there may be local low clouds or sparse fog during the early morning hours.
The temperature will drop slightly, while remaining above the average climatic values, mainly in the interior and in the mountains.
