Take cover! High dust concentrations pose health risks

According to the Department of Labour Inspection, high concentrations of dust are currently being observed on Monday.

A press release advises the public, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the sick, to avoid outdoor activities and open spaces.

Employers are urged by the Labour Inspection Department to take appropriate measures, both organizational and technical, to assess the risks for employees working in open areas. Workers in such environments are recommended to utilize suitable personal protective equipment.

The recorded dust concentration values at air quality monitoring stations at 7:00 am on Monday are as follows: Nicosia 57.5 μg/m3, Limassol 106.0 μg/m3, Larnaka 80.5 μg/m3, Paralimni 81.1 μg/m3, Pafos -, Zygi 114.7 μg/m3, Agia Marina Xyliatou 60.6 μg/m3.

It is important to note that "dust" refers to respirable microelements in the atmosphere with a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM10). According to relevant legislation, the limit value for average daily dust concentration must not exceed 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter).

For further and ongoing information on hourly measurement results, please visit the website www.airquality.gov.cy or use the "Air Quality Cyprus" application.