Nicosia: Wildfire smoke can affect air quality even in areas far away from a fire, depending mainly on wind speed and direction, Chrysanthos Savvides, Senior Labour Inspection Officer and Head of the Air Quality and Support, told CNA on Wednesday. In serious incidents, he added, authorities do not need to wait for measurements before taking steps to protect the public.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Savvides said fires 'by definition alter air quality' by releasing pollutants into the atmosphere. How far these pollutants travel depends largely on weather conditions, with strong winds capable of carrying them over considerable distances, although concentrations fall as they disperse. He said the type of pollutants released depends on what is burning, while the risk to health depends on their concentration.
'When such an incident occurs, people should move away from the source and allow the competent authorities to do their work,' he said. Children, older people and those with health problems, particularly respiratory conditions, are among the most vulnerable groups, Savvides added.
Asked about air quality monitoring, Savvides said Cyprus operates nine fixed stations, more than required under the relevant EU Directive. He clarified that the network is designed to monitor air quality under normal conditions rather than cover every emergency incident. Emergency measurements are usually carried out following a request by a competent authority, such as the Fire Service, Civil Defence or a local authority. He cited a previous factory fire in Dali, when a temporary station was deployed to monitor pollution levels.
Savvides stressed that in serious incidents authorities can move people away from the affected area without waiting for measurements, as smoke is already known to impair air quality. Measurements are particularly useful afterwards, he said, to determine whether pollutants remain in the atmosphere, how concentrations are falling and when air quality has returned to normal.
In the meantime, the World Health Organization has warned that wildfire smoke can travel thousands of kilometres, affecting air quality and human health far from the fire itself. In informative data published recently on its website, WHO says around 90% of the total particle mass emitted by wildfires consists of particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less (PM2.5), while smoke can also contain PM10, ultrafine particles, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and toxic metals.
Exposure can cause headaches, eye and respiratory tract irritation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic lung or heart conditions are particularly vulnerable. During heavy smoke conditions, WHO advises people to limit outdoor activity and, where possible, stay indoors with windows and doors closed. If going outside is necessary, it recommends wearing a well-fitting FFP2 or N95 mask.