site.btaSofia Municipality Warns of Elevated Fine Particulate Matter Levels Caused by Dusty Air from Sahara

Elevated levels of fine particulate matter have been reported in Sofia, the Sofia Municipality said on Tuesday. This is due to hot air masses entering Bulgaria and carrying high amounts of Saharan dust, the municipality added.

An increase in fine particulate matter (PM10) was detected at four of Sofia’s measuring stations. Levels above the average daily PM10 of 50 µg/m3 were recorded in the districts of Nadezhda, Hipodruma, Pavlovo, and Mladost.

According to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, temperatures in Sofia are expected to reach 33C on Wednesday. Taking into consideration the data on the elevated levels of fine particulate matter, the Sofia Municipality urges people to limit outdoor activities, which would also protect them from the heat during the hottest hours of the day.