Authorities issue dust warning

Authorities on Wednesday warned employers and vulnerable groups to take precautions due to the high concentrations of dust detected in the atmosphere.

The labour inspection department said the public, particularly vulnerable groups (children, older people, and the infirm) are urged to avoid circulating in open spaces as the small size of respirable particles in the dust may have negative effects on human health.

Employers must take appropriate measures after assessing any risks that their employees may face while working in open spaces, and it is recommended that workers use appropriate means of personal protection.

In detail, the latest hourly dust concentrations measured at 10am in the following areas are: Nicosia, 61μg/m³ Limassol, 102.6μg/m³ Larnaca 67.5μg/m³  and Paphos 84.8μg/m³

^{Dust refers to respirable particulate matter of a diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM10) in the air. According to the legislation, a limit value not to be exceeded is set for the daily average concentrations at 50μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter).}