'Pierrick', the storm that yesterday brought gusts of wind of up to 70 kilometers per hour in the Region of Murcia, has ended the episode of haze that the Community was experiencing. Since last Sunday, the presence of Saharan dust in suspension has led to three days of terrible air quality data, with concentrations of fine PM10 particles that have tripled the critical pollution thresholds established by the World Health Organization (WHO). .
The levels recorded by the Region's Air Quality Surveillance and Control Network have forced the city councils of the main municipalities to activate protocols to reduce the impact of the intrusion of African dust on the population. Yesterday Murcia maintained level 2, with recommendations such as using public transport or avoiding outdoor physical exercise, while Cartagena reached level 3 with similar recommendations, but without applying restrictions to vehicle mobility or other activities.
Lorca has been, by far, the territory where the highest incidence of suspended dust has been detected with concentrations exceeding 150 micrograms per square meter. Yesterday, the warnings from the regional network on air quality continued to place the municipality of Valle del Guadalentín at level 3 of the anti-pollution protocol, which already forced public buses or ORA parking spaces to be established as free on Monday. . In addition, the City Council kept the outdoor sports facilities closed, which will not open until the haze ends.
It is expected that in the coming days, given the improvement in the levels of PM10 particles, these protocols will be deactivated due to the end of the incidence of the air mass of African origin. Yesterday, the State Meteorological Agency blamed the presence of strong gusts of wind for cleaning the atmosphere of suspended dust, which improved the air quality in Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca, the most affected areas, starting at noon. Aside from these gusts, the wind speed reached more than 40 kilometers per hour on the coast of the Mar Menor.
Protection
Molina de Segura and Caravaca de la Cruz have also not been spared from having an atmosphere loaded with PM10 particles, also exceeding the daily limit value for this pollutant. The damage of this granulated material on people's health results in respiratory and cardiovascular complications, hence the insistence of experts in recent days to expose themselves as little as possible, especially if they suffer from previous pathologies. Another recommendation repeated in recent days has been to use an FPP2 mask as a protective measure.
PM2.5 particles, finer and even more harmful than PM10, have also seen the permitted levels exceeded in recent days due to the intrusion of Saharan dust.
A table with city councils to study solutions
Air pollution due to the intrusion of suspended dust from Africa or from the combustion of cars or agricultural burning has generated debates and controversies on a recurring basis in recent years. The Ministry of the Environment has indicated, as a result of this latest episode of worsening air quality, that it will form a panel of experts, with the presence of city councils, to look for possible solutions. Aside from this, they insist from the department of Juan María Vázquez that the powers to restrict or limit activities are municipal. Political parties such as Podemos have asked for specific protocols at the regional level and to suspend children's outdoor activities.
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