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Weekly Air Quality in Selected Towns of Sri Lanka ( 11 – 17 May 2026)
Summary for 11 – 17 May 2026:
In general, cleaner air flowed into Sri Lanka from the southwestern direction during the past week, contributing to generally favorable air quality conditions. However, on 12th May, Akurana and Battaramulla, and on 13th May, Colombo, recorded daily average AQI values in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category. The remaining days of the week showed “Moderate” and “Good” daily average AQI values. Battaramulla recorded the highest daily average AQI value of 107, which falls under the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” AQI category.
When considering weekly average AQI values, all monitored areas recorded “Moderate” weekly average AQI levels.
Weekly Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels:
Moderate (AQI 51-100): Akurana, Digana, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Mirihana, Negombo, Battaramulla, Chilaw, Kalawana, Ambalantota, Mannar, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Anuradhapura
Observed fine particulate measurements by the hour for the last week
Air Quality impact on human health
Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) are generally 2.5 microns and smaller in size. Such particles are inhalable and easily lodges inside the lungs reducing capacity. PM2.5 is a concern for people’s health when levels in the air are high. The levels of risk are shown in the dial shown against the US EPA air quality standards. AQ has a scale that run from 0-500, that tells you how clean or polluted your air is. Each level on the scale corresponds to a different level of health concern.
AIR QUALITY BASICS
Air pollution, a widely- talked and argued topic today has been a primary cause of unforeseen climatic changes, many health problems associated with respiratory diseases and ecosystem damage. Vehicular and industrial emissions, dust, burning of fossil fuels, open burning of garbage waste and natural phenomena such as volcanoes, wildfires and pollen contribute to air pollution. Polluted air consists of both particulate matter of fine dimensions and gaseous matter. The presence of these impurities decreases the pureness of the air we breathe.
AQI
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has set up a standard to measure the level of air pollution by the following 5 major air pollutants:
- Ground- level ozone (O3)
- Particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Particulate matter of diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) and diameter less than 10 micrometers (PM10) and gases, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide have been identified as major air pollutants.
The AQI standard for ozone and particle pollution according to US EPA comprises of six categories. Each category is assigned a specific colour and corresponds to a different level of health concern. As the scale grows the air quality turns from good to extremely unhealthy.
Access to real- time air quality data from laser air quality sensoring instruments operated by FECT is available at www.cleanair.lk
