In the morning on Tuesday, the 2nd of April, the quality of air in Riga became very poor, according to information from Latvian State Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
The concentration of PM10, or dust with a diameter of up to ten micrometers, suspended in the air reached 187 micrograms per 1 m3 on Kronvalda Boulevard at nine o’clock in the morning and 237 micrograms per 1 m3 on K. Valdemāra Street.
Air quality goes down when this index exceeds 50 and it becomes especially bad when the average PM10 concentration exceeds 150 micrograms per 1 m3.
A great deal of pollution comes from dust from Sahara and local sources of pollution. Air quality is poor in most of Latvia, especially cities.
The situation will improve as the wind draws in from the west and south-west and brings in colder and cleaner air.
This should happen around the afternoon or the evening in Riga.
When air quality becomes especially poor, residents are advised to spend less time outside. Sensitive groups of residents should avoid going outside entirely.
According to an assessment by the World Health Organization, air pollution is the fourth biggest health risk – behind high blood pressure, unhealthy diet and smoking.
Also read: Week to start off in Latvia with precipitation and thunderstorm
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