THERE are dangerous levels of particulate matter in the atmosphere over Cyprus and little is being done to reduce them, especially in Nicosia, according to a survey recently conducted by a mayoral candidate.
Nicos Mesaritis said that although the government has undertaken the necessary tests and studies to determine the levels of dangerous particulate matters in the atmosphere, the municipalities have yet to act on reducing these levels.
Mesaritis told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that his electoral team conducted a survey based on statistics gathered by the Department of Labour and found that Cyprus has dangerous levels of particulate matters in the atmosphere.
Airborne particulate matter (PM) consists of different substances suspended in air in the form of particles (solids or liquid droplets). Particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter, which include fine and coarse dust particles, are considered particularly dangerous because they can pass through the nose and throat and enter the lungs.
In some cases, larger particles can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat but are unlikely to cause more serious problems as they do not enter the lungs.
Mesaritis said that the latest tests found that Cyprus has dangerous levels of particulate matters of a diameter of 2.5 micrometres.
“There have been cases documented [in Cyprus] where they [PM2.5] reach 40-60 mg/m3. The proposed upper limit for the European Union for 2010 for PM2.5 is 25 mg/m3.”
“This is a new finding for Cyprus and is especially dangerous. Though you take it into your body via breathing, it is so fine that it goes into the blood of your lungs and can create severe conditions, including cancer.”
Mesaritis claimed that an Athens doctor found that such particulates account for 2,090 deaths in the world and are estimated to reduce one’s lifespan by 1.7 years.
He said that despite the fact that the EU offers a certain sum to municipalities for reducing air pollution, the municipalities presently “take no measures” to address the high particulate levels verified by government tests and studies.
“The authorities are essentially saying ‘It is good you have breathed whatever you have breathed so far; it is good you have contracted whatever deadly diseases you have contracted so far’… They don’t think that nearly every family deals with cancer. They never tell us why this happens.”
Who is most sensitive to particulate matter?
Certain groups are more sensitive to particulate matter and more susceptible to experiencing serious health effects from exposure to such particulates. They include the elderly, children, smokers, and individuals with asthma and other respiratory diseases, as well as those with cardiovascular disease.
Particle levels will be high indoors as well as outdoors since fine particles can enter through small openings or cracks even if doors or windows are closed. To reduce particulate levels in the home, reduce indoor sources of particles including propane and wood burning stoves and furnaces.
Cooking, burning candles, and smoking also increases particulate levels indoors. While vacuum cleaners can stir up particulates, some vacuums are available with a “high efficiency particulate arresting” (HEPA) filter.
Some air cleaners can reduce indoor particulate levels but they must be properly matched to the size of the space to be cleaned.
It is also effective to wipe floors and hard surfaces with a damp cloth or mop that retains dust.
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