Authorities issue dust warning through Sunday

Cyprus authorities have issued a warning on air quality in Cyprus, as dust levels in the atmosphere are expected to remain high through Sunday.

According to a Friday announcement by the Department of Labour Inspection, as of 7am on Sunday, the concentration of respirable particulate matter or PM 10 measured every hour had already fluctuated between 67 µg/m3 and 94 µg/m3 while on Friday it registered 67 low and 94 high.

This is exceeding the safe limit in any given hour, which is 50 µg/m3, according to the ambient air quality standards for particulate matter, which is the maximum amount of airborne particles that can be present outdoors without threatening the public's health.

Authorities warn senior citizens, young children, and people with respiratory problems are advised to stay indoors until dust levels fall back below the 50 µg/m3 threshold.

Useful information

Employers are expected to assess the risk for their employees and take appropriate measures, if any workers must work outside in the open air.

The Labour Department has repeatedly said that workers who have to be outside should always were protective personal gear. This is so because these tiny particles vary greatly in shape, size and chemical composition, and can be made up of many different materials such as metals, dirt, soil and dust.

More information can be accessed by visiting the site www.airquality.gov.cy or through the Air Quality Cyprus phone app available in Google Play and iOS App Store.