High concentrations of dust in the atmosphere

High concentrations of dust are observed in the atmosphere on Tuesday according to the measurements of the Ground Stations of the Air Quality Monitoring Network of the Department of Labour Inspection.

According to a press release issued by the Department of Labour Inspection, because the dust contains small-sized inhalable particles that may have a negative effect on human health, the public and especially vulnerable population groups (children, the elderly and the infirm) are urged to avoid going out in open spaces until the phenomenon has passed.

Employers based on the provisions of the Safety and Health at Work (Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons at Work during Dust Episodes) Order of 2022 (R.A.A. 410/2022) must take the appropriate measures (organisational or technical), after assessing the risks for their employees who are in open spaces.

It is recommended to people working outdoors to use appropriate means of personal protection.

For information, the last hourly dust concentration value
s measured at 9:00 am were 112.6 µg/m3 in Nicosia, 131.6 µg/m3 in Limassol, 139.3 µg/m3 in Larnaca, 176.4 µg/m3 in Paralimni, 94.7 µg/m3 in Pafos, 97.9 µg/m3 in Zygi and 73.6 µg/m3 in Agia Marina Xyliatou.

It is noted that “dust” means respirable suspended particles in the atmosphere with a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM10). According to the relevant legislation, the limit value refers to the average daily value and must not exceed the value of 50 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre).

Source: Cyprus News Agency