In Cyprus there are days when we breathe many times more suspended particles than provided for in the relevant limit, which can cause health problems or even make our lives difficult.
Airborne particles, which get stuck in the lungs, can cause bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and a decrease in lung function. At the same time, long-term exposure seems to be associated with heart attacks, arrhythmias or even strokes. It can also cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
The situation in Cyprus is described by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Marinos Mousiouttas, who was answering relevant questions from the MP of Famagusta, Mr. Giorgos Koukoumas.
As can be seen from the data cited by Mr. Mousiouttas, 2023 was the worst year in terms of the presence of suspended particles in the atmosphere PM10 (μg/m3), if it is taken into account that from the limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), up to 350 (μg/m3) had been ejected in Paralimni. In the same year, the limits were many times higher in other areas of Cyprus, where there are counting stations. In some cases the dust in the atmosphere at ground level (i.e. where humans breathe) was so much that it was deemed necessary to issue announcements.
In the year 2022, 15 announcements were issued, in 2023 in 20 cases, in 2024 in 12 and in 2025 in four cases. On the other days when there is dust, when it is below or close to the limit, no announcements are issued.
Mr. Mousiouttas informs Mr. Koukoumas that the maximum permissible daily number of exceedances (particulate matter) in PM10 per year is 35, the daily limit value is 50 μg/m3 and the annual limit value is 40 μg/m3.
In the year 2022, based on the data regarding the number of exceedances of the daily limit value (50μg/m3), 10 exceedances were recorded at Agia Marina Xyliatou station, 72 at Nicosia traffic station, 26 exceedances at Larnaca traffic station, 60 at Limassol traffic station, 22 at Paphos traffic station, and 54 at Paralimni traffic station. In addition, 32 exceedances were recorded at the Nicosia residential station, 31 exceedances at the Zygi industrial metering station and 28 exceedances at the Mari industrial station.
Regarding the maximum daily value of suspended particulate matter of PM 10 μg/m3, (micrograms per cubic meter) with a limit of 50μg/m3, in the year 2022, 123.8 μg/m3 were recorded in Agia Marina Xyliatou, in Nicosia 205.6 μg/m3, in Larnaca 113.6, in Limassol 180.5, in Paphos 219.9 and in Paralimni 180.6.
As far as the Nicosia residential station is concerned, 208.7 μg/m3 were recorded, at the Zygi industrial station 173.9 and at the Mari industrial station 152.9 μg/m3.
Regarding the number of exceedances due to natural sources (dust and sea salt episodes), 8 exceedances were recorded at Agia Marina Xyliatou station and 39 at Nicosia traffic station.
In the year 2023, the maximum daily rate (50μg/m3) in Agia Marina Xyliatou had been exceeded 17 times, at Nicosia traffic station 85 times, in Larnaca 34 times, in Limassol 64 times, in Paphos 37 times, in Paralimni 47 times, in Nicosia residential station 37 times, in Zygi industrial station 40 times and in Mari industrial station 34 times.
In the same year, the maximum daily value of PM10 (μg/m3) (with a limit value of 50 μg/m3) at Agia Marina Xyliatos station was recorded at 108 (μg/m3). At the Nicosia traffic station, 147.3 μg/m3 were recorded, at the Larnaca traffic station 231.5 μg/m3 were recorded, in Limassol 257.6 μg/m3 were recorded, in Paphos 152.7 μg/m3, while in Paralimni they had skyrocketed to 350.6 μg/m3. At the Nicosia residential station, 96.4 μg/m3 were recorded, at the Zygi industrial station 122 μg/m3 were recorded and at the Mari industrial station 136.2 μg/m3 were recorded.
Regarding the number of exceedances due to natural sources (dust and sea salt episodes), 17 were recorded at Xyliatos station and 52 at Nicosia traffic station.
Dozens of exceedances in 2025
In the year 2025 the number of exceedances of the daily Limit Value (50μg/m3) was 5 at Agia Marina Xyliatou station, 67 at Nicosia traffic station, 32 at Larnaca station, 44 at Limassol station, 17 at Paphos station, 35 at Paralimni station, 30 at Nicosia residential station, 18 at Zygi industrial station and 13 at Mari industrial station.
Regarding the maximum daily value for the year in PM10 (μg/m3), at Agia Marina Xyliatou station it was 75.8 μg/m3, at Nicosia traffic station, 110, at Larnaca station, also 110, at Limassol station 132, at Paphos station 99, at Paralimni station 122.6, at Nicosia residential station 101.5, at Zygi industrial station 131.3 and at Mari industrial station 124.8.
