Newsroom
Cyprus woke up Friday under a thick, orange haze of dust blowing in all the way from Libya. Officials are warning people to take it easy outside, especially kids, the elderly, and anyone with breathing problems.
The Department of Labor Inspection’s Air Quality Network says tiny dust particles, called PM10, are spiking far above safe levels. By 10 a.m., readings showed Paphos at 445 μg/m³ and Agia Marina Xyliatou nearly 495 μg/m³. For context, anything above 50 μg/m³ is considered unsafe for a full day. Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Paralimni aren’t off the hook either, with numbers well above the limit.
Authorities are urging employers to protect workers outside, recommending masks or other safety gear, and advising the general public to skip outdoor errands until the dust settles.
“It’s not just a nuisance; these tiny particles can affect your lungs and heart,” officials said. “The more vulnerable groups need to be especially careful.”
Dust storms like this travel thousands of kilometers across the Mediterranean, showing just how far a Sahara or Libyan storm can reach. For real-time updates on air quality, residents can check the Air Quality Cyprus website
or use the “Air Quality Cyprus” app.
