Air quality in Cyprus: where to check and what to do

Short answer. Check the Department of Labour Inspection's (DLI) "Air Quality in Cyprus" site, which shows real-time readings from the national monitoring stations ¹². It rates each pollutant on four levels: Low, Moderate, High and Very High ¹. At High, people with asthma, heart or lung disease should avoid outdoor physical activity ². The European Air Quality Index also covers Cyprus, with forecasts ³.

Where can I check air quality right now?

The DLI's Air Quality and Strategic Planning Section is responsible for monitoring air quality in Cyprus ². Its network of nine stations measures continuously, and hourly data are published on its website ². The station map covers Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Paralimni, Ayia Marina Xyliatou and industrial sites at Zygi, Mari, Kalavasos and Ormidia ¹. Real-time values are not validated ¹.

The European Environment Agency's European Air Quality Index also shows Cyprus ³. It is updated hourly, has a station layer and a modelled 1 × 1 km layer for places without a station, and offers forecasts for the next 48 hours; there is a mobile app for Android and iOS ³. It uses six classes, from Good to Extremely poor ³.

What do the index levels mean?

The DLI's four levels, in µg/m³ ¹²:

What each level means for health, according to the DLI ²:

• Low: negligible to low health risk.
• Moderate (Medium): mild effects possible for sensitive people, especially those with asthma; they should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, especially outdoors.
• High: people with respiratory, heart or lung disease should avoid outdoor and physical activity and stay away from areas of high pollution and high temperature; people with asthma may need their reliever inhaler more often; older people should reduce physical exertion.
• Very High: the same groups should move away from high pollution and high temperature, and avoid any activity that may worsen their condition; older people should avoid strenuous activity; some healthy people may feel irritation.

The DLI adds that anyone whose health may worsen should seek medical advice ². See Air quality index explained.

How polluted is the air on average?

The population-weighted median of Cypriot cities shows about 16 µg/m³ of PM2.5 (annual mean 2021-2023) ⁴, about three times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ ⁶. Nitrogen dioxide is about 2 µg/m³ ⁵, below the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³ ⁶. That NO2 figure is a regional background over roughly 80 km: a busy street will be higher.

What should I do on a bad air day, or with dust or smoke?

On a bad air day, follow the DLI level advice above; for dust, Phaenyx found no specific official Cypriot advice.

• Bad air days: follow the DLI level advice above, and see Pollution episodes, Sensitive people and polluted air and Children and polluted air.
• Dust: Phaenyx found no official Cypriot advice specific to dust episodes. The DLI levels cover PM10 and PM2.5 particles ¹. See Dust storms.
• Ozone: see Ozone days.
• Smoke: see Wildfire smoke, A clean-air room at home and Masks for smoke. Our Cyprus alerts page explains how official warnings reach you.

A household plan can note who at home is sensitive to polluted air and where to stay indoors.

Frequently asked questions

Who measures air quality in Cyprus?

The Air Quality and Strategic Planning Section of the Department of Labour Inspection, with nine continuous monitoring stations ².

Is the Cyprus index the same as the European one?

No. The DLI uses four levels (Low to Very High) ¹; the EEA's European Air Quality Index uses six classes (Good to Extremely poor) ³.

Can I see a forecast?

The European Air Quality Index shows forecasts for the next 48 hours ³.