5 November 2020 12:00 am
By Sheain Fernandopulle
The polluted air in certain South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan has entered Sri Lanka’s atmosphere resulting in making air quality unhealthy in the country, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Air Quality Unit Senior Scientist H.D.S. Premasiri said.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said the polluted air from the above countries were blowing in the direction of Sri Lanka through winds.
“Sri Lanka is currently experiencing the Inter-monsoonal rainy condition and that is why the wind is blowing from many parts in the direction of the country,” Premasiri said. “This unhealthy air has abnormally engulfed the districts like Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Vavuniya, and Jaffna since October 27,” he added.
He said the Value of Index had been ranging between 90 to 150 in the said districts.
Premasiri highlighted that the air pollution is expected to continue for the next few days and could cause breathing difficulties for sensitive group of people. Therefore, he asked people who are sensitive to mild dust particles to be mindful of this situation.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when Air Quality Index (AQI) value ranges 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 diseases, children, older adults and people who are engaged in outdoors activities are considered sensitive and therefore at greater risk,” it states.
Premasiri requested such people to wear a mask regularly and minimize strenuous activities like physical work out, sports and working outdoors to protect themselves from health hazards.