The three cities chained several of the highest records since the WHO established limits for the effect of these particles on health
The calima was last week the main meteorological phenomenon, and also social, in the Region of Murcia. Orange atmosphere typical of ‘Blade Runner’, dense air, itchy eyes from the Saharan dust. The feeling in the streets and on social networks was that it was an extraordinary situation, without precedent. And the data confirms it: the levels of PM10 particles have destroyed all records since the WHO established limits for their impact on health.
PM10 are solid or liquid particles of dust, ash or soot present in the atmosphere whose size is less than or equal to 10 microns. They come from natural sources, but also from human activity (vehicles, industry or agricultural activities). In large quantities, together with PM2.5, they form haze. Its presence affects visibility and health, which is why the WHO established recommended daily limits in 2008: do not exceed the average of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
That threshold was pulverized last week at the three stations in Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca, which reached historical records. San Basilio, in the capital, registered 341µ g/m³ on Tuesday, March 15. It was the worst day. Murcia had never reached 200 before. However, you have to watch the whole week to understand how exceptional this episode of particle entry was. Between Monday and Wednesday, Murcia scored three of the four highest figures since 2009.
In Lorca, the three days are also already among the highest figures in the series. In fact, the level of particles was even higher than in Murcia: the City of the Sun multiplied by eleven the maximum recommended by the WHO. Cartagena also reached a historic peak, but on Wednesday the intensity of the Saharan dust already decreased, according to data from the Mompeán station, the most central. There are three others in the municipality, closer to industrial hubs: Valle de Escombreras, Alumbres and La Aljorra.
Murcia, the city that comes closest to the annual limit
Although it is unusual for them to reach this intensity, episodes of influx of Saharan dust, driven by meteorological phenomena, are normal. The town halls handle action protocols when the limits are exceeded, since these particles can produce effects on health, for example at the pulmonary level. A 2011 Central Government Royal Decree on air quality states that the 50 µg/m³ limit must not be exceeded more than 35 times per calendar year.
Since then, none of the three stations analyzed has exceeded it. Murcia, the one that accumulates the most each year, did so precisely in 2010. Since then, it has come close several times: last year it added 34. In 2022 it already adds 12, a third of what is allowed, because this Sunday the level of particles bounced back above the 50 barrier.
In Cartagena (Mompeán) and Lorca, however, until last week they had remained within acceptable levels: the port city had only exceeded 50 µg/m³ once and Lorca, never. Since 2008, in the annual global, the City of the Sun is the one that usually adds more days above the recommended limits, although it has not been close to the 35 barrier for several years.
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