As of 11:00 a.m. on 24 November, the concentration of solid particles (PM10 and PM2.5) in the air in Batumi is recorded as poor and very poor by the automatic monitoring station located on Tbel Abuseridze Street.

According to the monitoring station located in Batumi’s Central Park, both indicators are rated as poor.

According to the National Environment Agency, the increase in the concentration of particulate matter is linked to the minor spread of desert dust masses.

“Since 6 November, several stations have recorded an increase in the concentration of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in the atmospheric air. This process is transboundary in nature and is caused by the spread of desert dust masses from the south,” — states the Atmospheric Air Quality Portal.

The Agency has also published health recommendations on the portal.

According to these recommendations:

If the concentration of particulate matter in the air is rated ‘poor’:

  • Everyone may experience health effects, while sensitive groups may experience more serious impacts than the general population;
  • The following groups should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor physical activity:
    people with heart or lung diseases, children, and the elderly;
  • Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor physical activity.

If the concentration is rated ‘moderate’:

  • Sensitive groups may experience health effects, but harmful effects for the general population are not expected;
  • The following groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor physical activity:
    people with heart or lung diseases, children, and the elderly.

In addition to transboundary pollution, major sources of particulate matter in the air include construction activities, exposed soil, wood-burning stoves, diesel engines, industrial processes, and dust dispersed by wind.
So-called secondary particulate matter is also produced by the photochemical reactions of various pollutants.

Eye irritation, asthma, bronchitis, lung damage, cancer, heavy metal poisoning, and negative impacts on the cardiovascular system.