Data collected by the quality of air monitoring network across Cyprus show that there is a high concentration of dust particles in the atmosphere on Thursday.

In a press release the Department of Labour Inspection urges vulnerable groups of people such as children, the elderly and the infirm to avoid going out in open spaces until the phenomenon subsides as the dust contains small particles which are likely to be harmful to health.

Employers, it adds, should also take appropriate measures, organizational or technical, after assessing the dangers for their employees who are working in open spaces and it is recommended that people working outdoors use the approriate personal protection.

At 0700 hours local time (0400 GMT) the concentration of dust in the atmosphere were as follows:

Nicosia:                                   88   μg/m3

Limassol:                               173   μg/m3

Larnaka:                                 79   μg/m3

Pafos:                                     56   μg/m3

Paralimni:                                59   μg/m3

Zygi:                                        55   μg/m3

Ayia Marina Xyliatou:               80   μg/m3

The public can access up to date information on the concentration of dust in the atmosphere at www.airquality.gov.cyand through the application “Air Quality Cyprus” available for free, the press release concludes.