"ONCE IN TEN YEARS SUCH SERIOUS EPISODES - A 'RED WARNING' - DUST SHOULD LEAVE US LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON - Filenews 3/4 by Despina Psyllou
The dust suspended in the atmosphere has turned Cyprus into a desert, with its levels remaining high until tomorrow afternoon, when it will gradually subside.
«Once in ten years we have such a strong episode," the director of the Department of Meteorology, Filippos Tymvios, underlined to Filenews, pointing out that there are indications that the future holds more dust in store for us. Due to the prevailing situation and the danger to citizens, especially the vulnerable, recommendations have been issued by the Ministries of Health, Education and Labour.
«It is one of the strongest dust episodes we have been facing in recent years. Of course, we have had strong incidents with high prices in the past. For example, we had such an episode in 2015, where dust had come from the east. What we are facing today is considered extreme," said Mr. Tymvios and added that such strong incidents would not be an exaggeration to say that they are recorded every ten years.
The episode that is underway in Cyprus is related to the unprecedented phenomenon that Greece faced in the previous days, with the atmosphere on its islands being painted red by dust. "A barometric low on the surface of the Desert raised dust in the atmosphere. This barometric moved north and joined the barometric low – the Erminio – that we had in the Aegean region. Therefore, the dust that was raised was transported to the area in our area. There were two barometrics that joined," he clarified.
The dust episode, said Mr. Tymvios, is at its peak. It started at 3:00 in the morning and will subside after Saturday afternoon, with the atmosphere gradually clearing. "The atmosphere is not completely clear, but we will be below alert levels."
"It would be a red warning"
Regarding the information issued yesterday by the Department of Meteorology, Mr. Tymvios clarified that "the Europeans who made the warning system did not provide for dust episodes. They did not include dust as a warning factor and that is why we are trying to include it."
If it had been a coloured warning "today we would have red, on the one hand for the particularly long duration of the phenomenon and on the other hand because of the high values of suspended particles", underlined Mr. Tymvios.
However, he said, an instability in the region is expected to bring rain from next week, further clearing the atmosphere.
Recommendations of the Ministry of Health on high levels of dust
The Ministry of Health reminds the basic measures to prevent adverse effects when there is an increased concentration of dust in the ambient air, according to the current emergency forecast bulletins of the Meteorological Service:
Basic Protection Measures
- Employers and employees should follow the instructions of the Department of Labour Inspection.
- Avoid activities and physical exercise in open spaces.
- Staying in open spaces should be kept to a minimum.
- Use a protective mask for the mouth and nose, with a filter that retains dust or alternatively a wet wipe.
- When there are symptoms such as cough (dry or productive with expectoration-phlegm), shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), irritation and/or runny nose (increased fluids) in the nose – irritation and/or increased tears from the eyes, it is recommended to contact or visit the attending physician or the Accident and Emergency Departments (TAEP).
High-Risk Groups
- People with Respiratory Problems and Heart Disease
- Kidney patients
- People with Immunodeficiencies
- Children and People over 65 years of age
Recommendations for vulnerable people
They should contact and visit the attending physician or the A&E when:
- Symptoms such as cough (dry or productive with expectoration-phlegmon), shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), irritation and/or runny nose (increased fluids) in the nose – irritation and/or increased tears from the eyes occur or worsen.
- Clarifications are needed for any doubts and adjustments to their medication.
It is also recommended that:
- They avoid unnecessary travel and limit their stay in areas where there is an increased concentration of dust in the ambient air. Particular caution is needed when there is further exposure to high temperature and humidity.
- Use a protective mask in cases where a short stay outdoors is needed.
- Avoid physical exercise in an open space.
- They remain in well-ventilated and air-conditioned areas.
Interruption of activities in open spaces due to dust is recommended by the KOP
The Cyprus Football Federation recommends the suspension of activities in open spaces due to dust.
According to the KOP, the dust in the atmosphere today, Friday, April 3, is many times higher than the allowed limits, and therefore, the Federation, adopting relevant instructions of the Cyprus Sports Organization, recommends the cessation of activities in open spaces until conditions improve.
The public and groups can be informed about dust levels (PM10) through the website https://www.airquality.gov.cy./
In cases where the hourly dust concentration (PM10) exceeds 100 μg/m³ (orange or red level), it is recommended to stop outdoor activities.
In conclusion, the Cyprus Football Federation states that it will monitor the situation and inform accordingly.
Interruption of outdoor work due to dust was announced by the Department. Labour Inspectorate
The Department of Labour Inspection announced on Friday morning the interruption and rescheduling of work/activities outdoors, due to the high concentrations of dust.
In particular, in the announcement, the Department points out that according to the measurements of the ground Stations of the Air Quality Monitoring Network of the Department of Labour Inspection, very high concentrations of dust (PM10) exceeding 200 μg/m3 are observed.
Therefore, the Department announced that based on the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health (Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons at Work During Dust Incidents) Decree of 2022 (K.A.P. 410/2022), all outdoor work/activities must be interrupted and rescheduled when the phenomenon has passed.
The Department of Labour Inspection adds that it will continue to monitor the concentrations of suspended particles in the atmosphere and when the concentrations return to normal levels, a new announcement will be issued.
All students in the classrooms
The intense wave of dust that covered Cyprus also affects the school day of thousands of students and teachers, who today, the last day of schools before closing for the Easter holidays, will spend it locked in classrooms.
The Ministry of Education, through the Office of Safety and Health, informed all schools with a circular early in the morning, about the observance of the necessary measures in these conditions.
