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A dangerous cocktail of smog has been recently "suffocating" the atmosphere in the region of Western Macedonia. Burning fireplaces for heating in combination with lignite extraction, the operation of the thermal power plant in the region and the African dust carried due to weather conditions have increased the level of fine particulate matter to the critical threshold. The problem has been established in the regions of the towns of Kozani, Ptolemaida, Florina and Amindeo, resulting in emergency measures to protect the citizens taken by the regional government in Western Macedonia.

In many regions, the concentration of particulate matter is higher than the maximum allowable values, reaching the maximum risk level (10/10) at some monitoring stations such as those in the region of Ikizmos near Ptolemaida and Florina.

The recommendations to the inhabitants of the region, especially to people with respiratory problems or heart disease, cancer, and to children and people aged over 65 years are to avoid physical activity outdoors, especially in regions with intense road traffic.

Patients with asthma are likely to need frequent inhalations of reliever medication and should contact their physician if symptoms persist.

In statements to the Greek edition Ethnos, assistant in environmental engineering and scientific director of the Environmental Centre in Western Macedonia Stamatis Zoras states that the situation is due to a combination of factors, which weather conditions have subsequently exacerbated.