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Weekly Air Quality in Selected Towns of Sri Lanka (11-17 Nov 2024)
On November 12th, air quality in Battaramulla (Pelawatta and CEA), Negombo, Colombo, Puttalam, and Gampaha was unhealthy for sensitive groups (AQI 101–151). Moderately poor air quality (AQI 51–100) was recorded in Digana, Kurunegala, Colombo, Battaramulla, Gampaha, Negombo, Puttalam, and Jaffna while Akurana, Nuwara Eliya, Ambalantota, and Trincomalee had good air quality (AQI 0–50), with the cleanest air in these areas.
Last week, winds continued to transport polluted air masses from the Northern Indian Ocean across the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. AQI levels have shown significant fluctuations. November 12th saw especially poor air quality in several areas of Sri Lanka.
Battaramulla recorded the highest weekly average AQI of 88. Akurana and Ambalantota recorded the lowest weekly AQI of 35.
Observed fine particulate measurements by the minute for last week
The AQ variation at a fine temporal scale is shown in Colombo and Pelawatte for last three days. The peak value in Colombo was about 135 and Pelawatte was about 115.
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
