Eastern Crete is affected by African dust today – Recommendations for protective measures

Eastern Crete, specifically Heraklion and Lasithi, are today more affected by the wave of African dust that has covered a large part of the country. The concentration of fine particles is already high in Heraklion, where visibility is limited, due to the dust that creates an eerie scene, while from midday onwards Lassithi will also be further affected.

The phenomenon towards the end of the days is expected to begin to subside gradually, however, until then, experts recommend taking protective measures, especially for people with chronic respiratory and cardiac problems and recommend the use of a high-protection mask for those who cannot avoid the outdoor activity.

Already the winds blowing on the island, as Costas Lagouvardos, the Research Director of the National Observatory of Athens, told ERT, have turned to the west, which directly affected the temperatures recorded. While during the night, like the previous one, high temperatures were recorded, with the change of winds from south to west the mercury showed a vertical drop. Indicative. in Malia, at 2 in the morning the temperature had exceeded 33 degrees Celsius and two hours later it recorded a drop of 12 degrees, as Mr. Lagouvardos reported.

Yesterday, Crete was affected by a particularly intense phenomenon of dust transport from the Sahara desert. The phenomenon is recorded by the four installed stations of the SCHEDIA Network on the island where PM particle load measurements are carried out₁₀, in the city of Chania, Akrotiri Chania, the city of Heraklion and Finokalia Lasithi. In P.E. In Chania the measurements are carried out by the Technical University of Crete, while in Heraklion and Lassithi by the University of Crete. The cloud of dust, as reported by the Region of Crete, moves from west to east and gradually affects the whole island. The maximum dust concentrations observed yesterday in Chania were particularly high, while in Heraklion the maximum value was lower (average hourly values).

Today, Wednesday, the phenomenon is strongly affecting the PE of Heraklion and towards noon it will also affect the PE of Lasithi. According to the forecast models, at the end of the day the situation in Crete will have calmed down.

The Directorate of Public Health of the Region of Crete, after receiving the latest measurements from the Directorate of Environment, informs that the following measures are immediately required to protect public health

In relation to people at increased risk

· People with respiratory problems

· heart patients

· children as well

· people over 65 years old

they should avoid any physical exercise-activity outdoors. It is also recommended to avoid staying outdoors, especially in areas with increased traffic.

· People with asthma may need more frequent inhalations of reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to contact the attending physician.

Relative to the general population

Every person is advised to avoid any physical exercise outdoors and to limit the time spent outdoors especially in areas with increased traffic. High protection FFP2 & KN95 masks, since they retain particles ≥0.3 µm in size, can protect those who need to be active outdoors.

File photo