People, children with heart, lung diseases Warned of unhealthy air quality at nightAQI values were recorded between 100-115 during last two days

• AQI values were recorded between 100-115 during last two days
• Colombo experienced unhealthy air on NYE due to crackers
• Air during night is to remain at ground level resulting in air quality being unhealthy
• People who are active outdoors are at greater risk

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

The air quality in the Colombo city is to remain unhealthy during night hours in next three days and thus, sensitive people are warned to be cautious of this situation, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Senior Scientist H.D Sarath Premasiri said.   

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said the air during night is to remain cold, which do not move up and away but remain at ground level resulting in air quality being unhealthy.   
“This situation will prevail until 10.00 am and then return to normalcy. However, sensitive people should be mindful of this and take early precautions to avoid air interaction,” Premasiri said. 

 
“Air Quality Index (AQI) values were recorded between 100-115 during last two days and it is expected to remain at the same range in next three days as well,” he added.   
Moreover, he said the Colombo City also experienced an unhealthy air quality on Dec. 31 due to the gases produced by the bursting of crackers. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when Air Quality Index (AQI) values are between 101 and 150, members of sensitive groups might experience health effects, but the general public was unlikely to be affected.   

“People with heart or lung disease, children, older adults and people who are active outdoors are considered sensitive and therefore at greater risk,” it states.   
The situation of air quality being unhealthy has been reported on several times during the last year.   

This was first recorded by the US Embassy’s air quality monitor in Colombo, which said there could be a rise in AQI on November 5 and 6, 2019.