High temperature and dust hit island wide

High temperatures and high levels of dust will prevail on Monday, with top temperatures forecast to reach 37C inland and 30C in coastal areas.

Elevated dust levels were recorded by the labour inspection department in Limassol, where the latest hourly dust concentration, measured at 9am, was 130.9μg/m3, in Larnaca with 125μg/m3 and in Paphos, where 113.2μg/m3 were measured. In Nicosia the concentration was 98.7 μg/m3 and in Paralimni 54.3.

Dust refers to respirable particulate matter of a diameter smaller than 10μm (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 (microgrammes per cubic metre).

Because the dust contains small inhalable particles, which may have a negative effect on human health, the public and especially vulnerable persons such as children and the elderly are urged to avoid going outdoors until the dust subsides.

Temperatures will drop sharply on Tuesday while the dust is expected to subside by Tuesday afternoon.