Filenews 16 November 2021
High concentrations of dust are observed today, November 16, 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: 134 μg/m3
Limassol: 81 μg/m3
Larnaca: 81.4 μg/m3
Paphos: 137.6 μg/m3
Paralimni: 66.2 μg/m3
Zygi: 43.9 μg/m3
Agia Marina Xyliatou: 47.5 μg/m3
It should be noted 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 daily average 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.
In detail the weather
Weak high pressure affects the area. Sparse dust will be observed in the atmosphere from time to time until Wednesday, the concentrations of which are likely to be increased from time to time.
Today, the weather will be mostly clear, while in the afternoon there will be temporarily increased high clouds. Winds will initially blow variable weak, 3 Beaufort, to become after noon mainly southwest to northwest, weak to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort. The sea will be up a little turbulent. The temperature will rise to 27 degrees in the interior, around 25 degrees on the coast and 18 degrees in the higher mountains.
Tonight, there will be intermittently increased high clouds. Winds will blow mainly northwest to northeast, 3 Beaufort. The sea will be calm until a little turbulent, but locally in the west and in the north a little turbulent. The temperature will drop to 10 degrees in the interior, around 14 degrees on the coast and 9 degrees in the higher mountains.
On Wednesday, the weather will be partly cloudy and intermittently mostly cloudy, from medium and high clouds, which may give a few local rains. The temperature will drop slightly.
On Thursday, the weather will be mostly clear, while in the afternoon, locally increased clouds will be observed, which is expected to give isolated rains, mainly in the mountains. The temperature will not change significantly, to fluctuate slightly above the average climatic values.
On Friday, locally increased cloudiness is expected to give isolated rains, while an isolated thunderstorm is not excluded, especially after noon. The temperature will drop further slightly, to fluctuate close to the average climatic values.
