Air Quality 1.0!

Educational Quizzes

Questions
19

How well do you know the air you breathe? 🌬️
What does it mean when CO₂ rises in a classroom, and why do we feel sleepy? When is ventilation truly “smart”? Which dust is more sneaky — PM10 or PM1? And what should we do in practice when there are warnings about African dust? 😷 (hint: not air fresheners!)

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Sea breezes, frequent winds, and limited heavy industry help Cyprus have:
Mild winters and hot summers. Good air quality on most days of the year. Air that is always clean, with no dust or pollution. Plenty of sunshine and heat.
When does Cyprus not have good air quality, even though it generally benefits from sea breezes?
When does Cyprus not have good air quality, even though it generally benefits from sea breezes?
When the sea is calm. When it is summer. When there is a lot of sunshine. When African dust is transported or when there is no wind at all.
Since air quality changes from day to day, what do we do in practice?
We continue as usual — nothing changes. We wait until it “looks” bad or smells unpleasant. We cover the air with fragrances to feel better. We monitor the situation, reduce pollution sources, and adjust ventilation and our activities.
How can the quality of the air I breathe affect my health?
It can affect concentration, energy, sleep, and irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. It only affects me if I exercise. Poor air quality makes it harder to inhale the CO₂ our body needs. It only affects mood.
If CO₂ rises too much in a classroom, what might I feel?
If CO₂ rises too much in a classroom, what might I feel?
Suddenly I become faster at studying. My voice becomes radio-like. A burst of energy. Sleepiness, a heavy head, difficulty concentrating.
In a classroom, CO₂ mainly rises because…
We all breathe in the same space without enough ventilation. Wi-Fi “blows” CO₂. Books produce it. The greenhouse effect is created.
What is the most useful action when the air feels “stuffy”?
Use an air freshener – that’s what they are for! Short, strong ventilation for 3–5 minutes. Lighting a candle to clean the air. Ignoring the problem.
On a day with a lot of dust outside, when should we ventilate more wisely?
Keep windows open all day – dust is more likely to stay outside than come inside. Leave a small crack open for many hours. Briefly, when outdoor dust levels are lower. Never.
Which activity often increases particles (particulate matter) indoors?
Flicking the pages of old books. Frying/grilling without ventilation. Intense exercise. Loud music!
What holds true for smoke indoors?
It disappears in 10 seconds. It goes to the ceiling and disappears. It leaves particles and chemicals, even if you can’t see it. If it doesn’t smell, there’s no problem.
What are VOCs?
What are VOCs?
An eSports team. Sports shoes. Vitamins. Chemical substances that evaporate from sprays, cleaners, paints, etc.
What is the most correct “rule” for better air?
Cover odors. Never ventilate. Open windows only when it’s sunny. Identify the source of the problem, reduce it, and ventilate properly.
When we talk about dust and particles in the air, what is often more dangerous?
When we clearly see dust in the air. When it smells bad. When there is strong wind. When we don’t see it, but very small particles are present.
What is PM10?
Particles (dust) up to 10 μm in size that stay suspended briefly, are usually not visible, and usually get trapped in the nose or throat. Particles (dust) up to 10 μm in size that stay suspended for a long time, are often visible, and usually get trapped in the nose or throat. Particles (dust) up to 10 μm in size found in the air, that stay suspended for a relatively short time, are often visible, and usually get trapped in the nose or throat. Particles (dust) up to 10 μm in size that stay suspended for a long time, are usually visible, and do not get trapped in the nose or throat.
What is PM1?
A camera setting. Videogame points. The time 1 a.m. in English. Extremely tiny particles (≤1 μm) in the air that enter deep into our respiratory system.
Which dust is considered more “sneaky”: PM10 or PM1?
Which dust is considered more “sneaky”: PM10 or PM1?
PM10 of course — it stays longer in the air and is inhaled more easily. PM10 — since it has larger particles and, as we all know… “size matters!” 🙂 PM1 — it moves like a stealth aircraft (we can’t see it!), stays airborne for a long time, and reaches deep into our lungs. PM1 of course — the number gives it away, it has “danger level 1.”
Why are extremely small particles PM1 (≤1 μm) in the air dangerous?
Because they always smell bad. Because they look intense and scare us. Because they are heavy and fall quickly to the ground. They reach deep into the lungs and can affect health.
What is the main problem when very small particles (PM1) reach the alveoli?
They remain longer, cause inflammation, and can affect oxygenation and overall health. They cause only temporary coughing. They don’t affect the body because they are very small. Only if they combine and become larger particles can the body remove them.
When there are warnings about high dust levels in the air and we need to go outside, how can we protect ourselves?
When there are warnings about high dust levels in the air and we need to go outside, how can we protect ourselves?
We wear a high-protection mask (e.g. KN95/FFP2), similar to what we used indoors during the COVID period! We breathe only through our nose. We hold our breath as long as possible. We constantly spray water around us to “clean” the air.
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Correct!
Cyprus often has good air quality — but not always. Phenomena such as African dust, exhaust fumes, and calm (windless) conditions can temporarily worsen it.
Good air quality is not permanent. Even in places with favorable conditions, natural phenomena and calm air can increase particle levels.
We don’t control the weather — we control our behaviour. Information → adaptation → better air quality.
Many irritants are invisible — we don’t always detect them by smell.
High CO₂ = little fresh air. It’s a signal to ventilate.
Many people + closed windows = rapid CO₂ increase.
Fragrance masks odors — it does not clean the air.
Good ventilation = short and well-timed.

Cooking is a common Particulate Matter (PM) source. A ventilation hood or window is needed.

Smoke “sticks” to surfaces which we often touch afterwards — it’s not just about smell.

Many VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) irritate the eyes, nose, and throat indoors.

Source → reduction → ventilation. Almost always works.

What is visible warns us. What is invisible (very small particles) stays longer in the air and enters deeper into the lungs.
PM10 is “coarser” dust and is often visible. 👉 The smaller the particle, the longer it stays airborne and the deeper it can enter our body.
The smaller the particle, the more easily it “travels” inside us.
“Coarse” dust (PM10) is often visible and falls faster. Very small particles (PM1) are invisible, remain airborne much longer, and are not easily blocked by the body.

They bypass the body’s natural “filters” and, without us realizing it, enter deep into the lungs (alveoli), where they can affect breathing and health.

The alveoli are the most sensitive part of breathing — this is where oxygen passes into the blood. Anything that reaches there is not easily removed and, with repeated exposure, can affect the entire body.
A KN95 / FFP2 mask provides good protection only if it fits properly, because it is designed for particles, not just droplets. 👉 If possible, the best option is to reduce the time spent outdoors.
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Correct!
A KN95 / FFP2 mask provides good protection only if it fits properly, because it is designed for particles, not just droplets. 👉 If possible, the best option is to reduce the time spent outdoors.
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