Saharan dust and air quality in Cyprus
How to interpret official PM10 data in Cyprus, distinguish between particulate matter and general air quality, and minimise exposure during an episode.
Checked: 23 September 2026.
What is meant by a dust episode
In Cyprus, the term ‘dust’ in official reports refers to inhalable particles with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres, i.e. PM10. A significant proportion of these episodes are linked to the transport of mineral dust from North Africa and the Middle East, but the monitoring network records the total concentration of particles in the air, rather than their colour or origin as perceived by the naked eye.
Dust haze and poor visibility are useful indicators for reducing activity levels, but they are not measurements. Concentrations vary between the stations in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paralimni, Paphos, Zigi and Ayia Marina Xylatos, and the wind can quickly change the picture. Therefore, figures from one town cannot be extrapolated to the whole island.
Official reports usually provide the latest hourly readings and remind the public of the daily limit. These are different measures: a single hour with high levels does not equate to the full daily average, and a calm hour does not negate the exposure that has already accumulated. To make a decision, one must consider the time of measurement, the monitoring station, the pollutant and the authority’s recommendation.
Where to find the data
The competent authority is the Air Quality Division of the Labour Inspectorate. Current network readings, reports and announcements are published on airquality.gov.cy; the official Air Quality Cyprus app is also available. During an active episode, an announcement from gov.cy or the relevant authority takes precedence over social media posts.
Open the nearest station and check the timestamp. Then check the PM10 levels, the overall index and neighbouring stations: a single reading may reflect a local source or a temporary glitch. If the data is marked as preliminary, do not treat it as a medical diagnosis and do not blindly compare it with the final daily report.
The European Air Quality Index is useful for its standardised colour scale, but it aggregates several pollutants. Saharan dust is not synonymous with the overall index: on any given day, the limiting factor may be PM10, PM2.5, ozone or nitrogen dioxide. Always open the station’s details page and check which parameter determined the colour.
Who needs to take extra care
Cypriot advisories specifically address children, the elderly and people with medical conditions. Particulate matter can exacerbate symptoms of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Pregnant women, people with asthma, COPD or those with a prescribed action plan should discuss with their doctor in advance when to reduce their activity and which medicines to use.
A single figure does not indicate the same response for everyone. If you experience shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, severe weakness or a worsening of your usual symptoms, move to a clean area and follow your individual plan; in the event of a severe or rapidly worsening condition, call 112.
Employers of outdoor workers are obliged to assess the risk and implement organisational or technical measures in accordance with the Cypriot Code for the Protection of Workers during episodes of dust. It is important for workers not to substitute this assessment with a personal mask and not to continue with heavy work simply because visibility seems acceptable.
What to do outdoors
Reduce the duration and intensity of your activity; postpone running, long walks and heavy work until conditions improve. Choose a route away from busy roads and construction dust. Children’s activities and training sessions should be assessed based on the latest data from the nearest monitoring station, rather than on a timetable drawn up in the morning.
A close-fitting, filter-class respirator can reduce the inhalation of particles if it is correctly fitted and worn, but it does not create a safe environment and is not suitable for everyone. A standard cloth mask or loose-fitting surgical mask should not be used as an excuse for prolonged physical activity in dusty air.
In a car, close the windows and switch to recirculation mode for a limited time, keeping an eye on the windows for misting and how you feel. It is better to replace a walk along a main road with a shorter journey by car or to postpone it altogether. Upon returning home, wash your face, change your clothes and do not shake out dust inside your home.
How to reduce dust at home
During peak periods, close windows and doors on the windward side, postpone airing out the house and use a properly functioning filtration system, if available. Air conditioning cools the air, but not all models purify it; a mode that draws in outdoor air may, on the contrary, bring particles indoors. Check the equipment’s instruction manual.
Dust should be removed with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner fitted with a suitable filter, rather than a dry brush. Do not smoke or light candles: indoor sources of particles combine with outdoor ones. Choose a bedroom for a vulnerable person that is further away from draughty windows and the front door, which is frequently opened.
Once the readings have consistently fallen, ventilate the room at a time when the air is cleaner and clean the filters as per the instructions. Do not wash or replace the filter in a way that stirs up a cloud of accumulated dust. If visible dust remains in the home, repeated wet cleaning is more effective than an air freshener, which merely masks the odour.
Plan for school, sport and work
The organiser appoints a person to check official data before and during the session, determine the threshold for changing the plan, and maintain contact details for participants. Contingency plans are prepared in advance: moving the activity indoors, reducing the intensity, shortening the duration or cancelling it. The decision and the source of the data are recorded to avoid disputes afterwards.
For schools, it is not only important to keep windows closed, but also to ensure good indoor air quality, access to pupils’ medication and the ability to contact parents. For a sports team, the risk is increased by deep and frequent breathing. For outdoor workers, additional factors include shift duration, heat, protective clothing and the physical demands of the task.
Once the advisory has been lifted, do not promise that the air will be clean immediately in all areas. Check your local monitoring station, wind direction and indoor conditions. Resume physical activity gradually, especially for people who have already experienced symptoms, and do not change your prescribed treatment without consulting a doctor.
How to interpret the next episode
The algorithm consists of four questions: what has been measured, where is the monitoring station located, when was the reading taken, and to whom is the advice addressed. Then choose the course of action with the lowest risk of error: postpone physical activity, close windows, check on a loved one, or seek medical advice. The appearance of the sky is merely an additional observation.
Do not confuse the dust transport forecast with the actual measurement, or the hourly peak with the daily average. Compare like-for-like indicators and units, and note the time zone. If the website is temporarily unavailable, use the official app and announcements from the relevant authority, rather than a random index without a station name.
This page explains the data but does not prescribe treatment. Sources were verified on the date indicated below; concentrations and warnings change throughout the day. If you have a chronic condition, keep your personal action plan next to your medication and find out in advance when your doctor recommends seeking help.