Filenews 17 November 2021
High concentrations of dust are observed today, November 17, 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 7:00 a.m. in the following areas were:
Nicosia: 73.9 μg/m3
Limassol: 42 μg/m3
Larnaca: 47.9 μg/m3
Paphos: 105 μg/m3
Paralimni: 59.4 μg/m3
Zygi: 35.9 μg/m3
Agia Marina Xyliatou: 59.1 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, immediate information on the results of the hourly measurements can be found on the website www.airquality.gov.cy and in the "Air Quality Cyprus" application, which can be installed free of charge on a mobile phone.
The weather forecast
Weak high pressure affects the area, while weak low pressure is expected by Friday afternoon. Sparse dust will be observed in the atmosphere from time to time, at least until Friday, the concentrations of which are likely to be temporarily elevated.
Today Wednesday, periods of sunshine will alternate with increased medium and high clouds, which may give isolated light rains, mainly in the mountains. The temperature will rise to around 27 degrees in the interior, around 25 degrees on the coast and around 18 degrees in the higher mountains.
Tonight the weather will be partly cloudy and at times cloudy, from average overcast. The temperature will drop to around 12 degrees in the interior and southwest coasts, around 15 degrees in the rest of the coast and around 8 degrees in the higher mountains.
On Thursday, periods of sunshine will alternate with increased, mainly average, clouds, which are likely to give isolated light rains, mainly in the mountains.
On Friday the weather will be partly and temporarily cloudy, while local rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected, mainly in the mountains and in the eastern half of the island, mostly from noon onwards. In the evening, local phenomena are expected in other areas as well.
On Saturday the weather will be partly and temporarily cloudy, with local rain and isolated thunderstorms expected intermittently.
The temperature will not change significantly on Thursday, remaining above the average climatic values, while by Saturday it will gradually drop, to be close to the average climatic values.
