Media Center
Weekly Air Quality in Selected Towns of Sri Lanka
13 th – 19 th September 2021
Air Quality (AQ) was unsatisfactory at the daily average level in Akurana, Colombo and Gampaha for most of the week although not reaching alarming levels except briefly on the 13th and 19th . AQ was satisfactory in some parts of Digana, Kalawana, Nawalapitiya and Norochcholai. Note, the AQ can vary from one locality to another so these values should be interpreted accordingly. In addition, day time AQI is usually higher than the values at night and in addition, there can be hourly variations usually driven by traffic or industrial pollution, waste/biomass burning pollution or even the specific directions of the wind. Sri Lanka’s season of poorer air quality is coming up in the coming weeks with changes in wind directions – this week the AQ values reflects that gradual transition.
An analysis of weekly monitored air quality of some of the most urbanized and industrialized cities in Sri Lanka and a guide to air quality for beginners are presented herewith.
Highlights
- Akurana : AQ was a little more polluted than in the other stations.
- Colombo (Bayleaf): AQ was a little more polluted than in the other stations
- Colombo (USEM) : AQ was considered satisfactory and air pollution posed little risk.
- Digana : AQ was considered satisfactory and air pollution posed little risk.
- Gampaha : AQ was considered satisfactory and air pollution posed little risk.
- Kalawana : AQ was considered satisfactory and air pollution posed little risk.
- Kurunegala : No Updates.
- Nachchaduwa : No Updates.
- Nawalapitiya :AQ was considered satisfactory and air pollution posed little risk, however extreme peaks in AQ could be observed from time to time.
- Norochcholai : AQ was considered satisfactory and air pollution posed little risk.
MONITORING
The table below summarizes the weekly average AQI and the highest daily peak obtained during the week for each station.
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.
OUR MONITORING
At FECT we have air quality measuring devices stationed at the following locations:
- Akurana
- Colombo US Embassy
- Bayleaf Restaurant- Colombo
- Digana
- Kurunegala
- Nachchaduwa
- Nawalapitiya
- Norochcholai
Access to real- time air quality data from laser air quality sensoring instruments operated by FECT is available at www.cleanair.lk
