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Weekly Air Quality in Selected Towns of Sri Lanka (19 January- 25 January 2026)
Summary for 19 – 25 January 2026 :
- From 19–21 January, the majority of the areas considered recorded “Unhealthy” daily AQI values (Akurana, Digana, Kurunegala, Colombo (Gregory’s Road), Mirihana, Negombo, Battaramulla, Chilaw, Galle, Mannar, Trincomalee, Jaffna, and Anuradhapura). Other areas recorded “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” AQI values, while Bandarawela was the only location that recorded a “Moderate” daily average AQI value (95).From 22–25 January, all areas recorded “Moderate” and “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” daily AQI values, except for Chilaw, which recorded an “Unhealthy” AQI value of 151 on 23 January.Overall, air quality during the week was very poor, especially during the beginning of the week. The polluted air entered the country from the northeastern direction, transported through the Bay of Bengal from the northern and eastern regions of India. Toward the end of the week, air flowing from the southern Indian Ocean via the Bay of Bengal carried relatively cleaner air, which helped to slightly improve air quality.
Considering weekly average AQI values, all areas except Bandarawela recorded “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” levels. Bandarawela recorded the lowest weekly average AQI value (84 – Moderate), while Akurana recorded the highest weekly average AQI value (141 – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
Weekly Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels:
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI 101–150): Akurana-AV-Outdoor, Digana, Kurunegala, Colombo(Gregory’s Road), Mirihana(Cleanco), Negombo, Battaramulla(CEA), Chilaw(CEA), Galle, Ambalantota, Mannar, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Anuradhapura
- Moderate (AQI 101–150): Bandarawela
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
