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Warning: Dangerous levels of air pollution in Western Province and other areas
View(s):- People advised to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid risk of strokes, heart attacks and respiratory ailments
By Kasun Warakapitiya
In Sri Lanka’s main cities, including Colombo, air quality turned unhealthy last morning after showing an improvement on Friday.
National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Director H.D.S. Premasiri told the Sunday Times that in addition to the Bay of Bengal cyclonic condition which brought polluted air from southeast Asia, local conditions, too, were contributing to the fluctuation of air quality.
According to the World Air Quality Index, Colombo and Nawalapitiya were among the areas that recorded unhealthy air pollution readings at levels above 150 by noon yesterday. The figures were fluctuating by evening.
According to the index, reading between 151 and 200 is considered unhealthy. When air quality reaches unhealthy levels, everyone may begin to experience health effects including people in sensitive groups.
Children, adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma are advised to avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.
Mr Premasiri explained that Sri Lanka’s air quality reached unhealthy levels as the polluted air of the South East Asian region drifted towards Sri Lanka due to the cyclonic condition. He added that as the cyclonic condition has reduced the amount of polluted air too would reduce in one or two days.
However, as the polluted air still persists in the atmosphere, cities that contribute to high air pollution would record unhealthy air quality readings as local air pollutants, too, add to the atmosphere.
The NBRO also recorded air quality readings. It showed that the air quality in Colombo reached unhealthy levels yesterday. Colombo recorded 54.0 levels of air pollution while Kegalle and Polonnaruwa recorded 57.0 and 56.0 respectively at 2.00 pm yesterday.
“There is a pattern here. Cities such as Colombo, Kandy, and Kurunegala which have high vehicle usage record more pollution. The pollution levels reduce during the night and increase during the day as vehicles and factories contribute to an increase in polluted air,” he said.
He added that overall the highest air pollution was recorded from the Western Province.
Meanwhile, Colombo Municipality’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruwan Wijeyamuni advised people to passively spend time indoors when air quality is unhealthy.
He explained that a cocktail of fine-combusted particles with double the amount of nitrogen oxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide is in the air. He added that when inhaled the pollutants release toxins into the bloodstream via the respiratory system.
He warned that when the toxins reach the bloodstream the chemistry of blood could be altered and create blood clots and cause strokes, heart attacks, and other illnesses.
He warned that pregnant mothers, new neonates, small children elderly and persons with asthmatic and respiratory ailments were at a greater risk.
“People should not exert themselves and engage in activity which involves heavy breathing to lessen the amount of pollutants reaching the body. Masks cannot fully ensure safety as fine particles could still reach the respiratory system despite the use of masks”, he said.
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