![Dangerous cocktail of pollution and high temperatures are suffocating Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/21_0060_20230823_tk_1483_sooc1692818682.jpg)
The capital, as well as many other regions of the country, have turned into a gas “chamber”, since the black smoke from the devastating fires travels huge distances.
The pollution registered by the competent service of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEP) has exceeded the permissible limits in terms of health-hazardous microparticles (PM – particulate matter). The corresponding measurements by the scientists of the National Observatory of Athens are also moving at their peaks.
Fire on Parnitha: This is how the fiery front started and developed – Watch timelapse video
In particular, yesterday evening at 7 p.m. at the measurement stations of the Ministry of Health in Piraeus and Peristeri, the air quality was very poor with concentrations of PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 microns) and PM2.5 (diameter of 2.5 microns) hitting red. In particular, in Piraeus PM10 reached 104 μg/m3 and in Peristeri 126 μg/m3 (micrograms of pollution per cubic meter of air). The situation was also bad in Elefsina and Aristotle station with PM2.5 values exceeding the limits.
It should be noted that for PM10, a value above the limit of 50 μg/m3 is tolerated, up to 35 times a year. As for PM2.5, the annual limit is 25 μg/m3.
The smaller the diameter of the particles in the atmosphere, the easier they penetrate the body through the respiratory system and settle very deep in the alveoli of the lung and from there they pass into the bloodstream and reach various organs of the body.
In fact, they are blamed for serious short- and long-term effects on human health. However, in addition to the size of suspended particles, their chemical composition also plays an important role in the effects they may have on health.
The burden on Western Attica and Piraeus is also evident from corresponding measurements of the Observatory, while particles traveled from the fires raging in the Evros to the Ionian islands. Especially for Attica, PM2.5 particle concentrations hovered for many hours above 100 µg/m3, as in Petroupoli, Chalandri, Ilion, Thisio and many other areas.
However, the smoke from the fire in Parnitha seems to have affected other areas as well, such as Nafpaktos, where PM2.5 levels reached 42.3 µg/m3 yesterday afternoon and 33.4 µg/m3 in Corinth. Correspondingly, Ioannina was affected by the fires in Evros where concentrations up to 28.9 μg/m3 were recorded.
And since air pollution knows no borders, smoke covered much of the Eastern Mediterranean yesterday. According to the Observatory’s online portal, the fires in Thrace are producing huge amounts of fine particles which have affected Southern Italy and Malta.
The weather conditions that prevail in the Central Mediterranean favor the sedimentation of gaseous masses and with them the microparticles, which are located very close to the ground.
Medical instructions from the AMA
The Athens Medical Association of Athens draws attention to the citizens and especially to those who belong to the vulnerable groups of the population and are close to areas affected by the fiery blaze. The high-risk group includes the chronically ill, the elderly, pregnant women, young children and those suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (asthma, COPD, etc.).
Respiratory problems can appear immediately upon the occurrence of a fire, in a short or long radius from the point of fire, which may persist depending on the state of health of citizens and people belonging to vulnerable groups, and may cause coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, asthma attack, stinging eyes, burning throat, runny nose, headaches, fatigue, chest pain and fast heart rate.
AMA recommends as precautionary measures:
· removal from the area. If one lives near the affected areas, it is advisable to keep the windows of one’s house closed, so as to limit the entry of smoke into interior spaces.
· whether someone is a chronic patient with respiratory problems or not, if symptoms such as shortness of breath, severe cough and increased sputum or dizziness occur, they should immediately contact their doctor.
· -avoidance of unnecessary movements. In the event that this is not possible, any movement must be done by car with closed windows, while the air conditioning must be in the internal air recirculation option.
· it is necessary to use a mask to protect against the toxic mixture of particles and gases, which is particularly dangerous.
· constant hydration of the body with water is required.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019
![OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ΟΤΕ-Group_1-600x450.jpg)
OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece
This initiative will provide ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 1Gbps to over 350,000 households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas across the country