African dust affects air quality in Murcia
The Region exceeded the recommended PM10 particle limits on Wednesday morning
Murcians are once again being exposed to air contaminated by particles due to the entry of Saharan dust this Wednesday October 30.
The African air mass arrived on Tuesday and, despite the rain and wind of recent days, four weather stations already recorded having exceeded the established limit of 50 µg/m3 of PM10: one in Lorca and three in Cartagena – Alumbres, Mompeán and Valle de Escombreras.
These levels, which are higher than those recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), have already been exceeded throughout the Region of Murcia.
According to the network of stations in the Community, the air quality has been unfavourable throughout the Region of Murcia since early in the morning. PM10 levels range from 85 µg/m3 in Lorca, the highest value, to 60 µg/m3 in the Northwest.
As for the smaller and more dangerous PM2.5 particles, the levels are also unfavourable at all stations, except in La Aljorra and the Escombreras Valley, where the condition is average in the mid-morning.
This episode is expected to last at least throughout the day today on Wednesday. The Ministry for Ecological Transition had already warned that the models consulted predicted the presence of African air masses.
Cartagena, one of the municipalities that noticed the worsening of air quality earlier, has already activated preventive level 1, the mildest level for these episodes.
The City Council recommends using public transport and reducing energy consumption at home or at work.
In addition, the Local Police will ensure that traffic flows more smoothly, and will control loading and unloading areas so that they are only used during established hours and with the engines of vehicles stopped.
It is also recommended to turn off unnecessary lights and appliances that are not in use, as well as lowering the temperature of the heating or air conditioning in homes in order to minimise energy consumption.
For more information, news and what’s on in your area visit our homepage at Murcia Today
Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
