Saharan dust pushes Murcia's air quality to dangerous levels

Lorca records the worst air quality in the region as tiny dust particles reach up to three times the safe limit

Murcia is struggling with very poor air quality this week as Saharan dust sweeps across the region. Every monitoring station is showing negative readings, and Lorca is taking the brunt with levels described as extremely unfavourable.

At Lorca, PM10 particles, which are tiny dust particles that can irritate your lungs, have reached 165.93 μg/m³. The safe limit is 50, so these levels are more than three times higher than recommended. The smaller PM2.5 particles, which are even more harmful because they can reach deep into your lungs, are at 46.67 μg/m³, nearly double the limit of 25.

Other stations are also reporting high levels too. Murcia's Ronda Sur and San Basilio stations, Alcantarilla, Valle de Escombreras, La Aljorra, and Molina de Segura are all marked as very unfavourable. San Basilio is particularly badly affected, with the tiny dust particles reaching around two and a half times the safe level for larger particles and nearly one and a half times the safe level for the smaller, more harmful ones. Caravaca, Alumbres, Mompeán, and Jumilla are showing unfavourable readings.

This is not unusual for the Murcia Region. The area sits in a semi-arid zone, so dust from the Sahara drifting in is a regular occurrence. On top of that, local factors often make the air quality worse. Traffic and industrial activity, especially around towns and ports, add tiny particles to the air. Surrounding farmland can also contribute, as ploughing, harvesting, and irrigation can stir up dust. All these factors combine to create episodes of poor air quality that can affect health, particularly for children, older people, and anyone with respiratory problems. 

The regional Ministry of the Environment has activated level 3 alerts for the Guadalentín, Valle del Segura, and Campo de Cartagena areas. This is the highest alert level and means people are advised to limit outdoor activity, especially if they have respiratory problems, are elderly, or are very young. Level 1 alerts are in place for the Noroeste and Altiplano regions, which serve as a warning to stay informed and take care if you are sensitive to poor air. Officials say that concentrations of tiny dust particles should fall throughout the day, easing the risk for most people.

Residents are advised to take care and limit outdoor activity until the air clears. Using masks, keeping windows closed, and avoiding strenuous exercise outside are recommended for anyone affected.

Image: Archive