ARCHIVED - Águilas and Mazarrón activate contamination protocols

Air quality is classified as poor throughout Murcia as the Saharan dust cloud lingers

As air quality measurements continue to cause concern in most of the Region of Murcia more Town Halls are implementing their contamination protocols, with both Águilas and Mazarrón declaring “Level 3” status on Friday morning after Murcia and Cartagena announced that public transport will be free throughout the day (and on Saturday in the case of Murcia).

Whereas on Thursday it was reported that the cloud of mineral dust bringing high concentrations of PM10 particles to Spain had come from northern Africa, but on Friday the regional government documentation mentions “Saharan dust” as the problem.

Whatever its origins, the dust is causing the maximum admissible particle threshold of 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air to be exceeded in many areas, with the readings at 12.00 on Friday exceeding 100 µg/m3 at all four measuring stations around Cartagena and between 70 and 80 µg/m3 at both stations just outside Murcia (far lower than the peaks of almost 300 which were reached on Thursday). In Lorca and Caravaca the measurements are below the threshold of 50 (41 µg/m3 in Lorca and 27 µg/m3 in Caravaca) but the regional government website nonetheless describes air quality as “bad” throughout the Region.

In both Águilas and Mazarrón the Town Halls are urging residents to minimize their use of cars and other motor vehicles and of other energy-consuming devices and recommending that strenuous exercise should be avoided outdoors. At the same time a total ban is in force on the burning of agricultural or gardening cuttings and rubbish.