Stakeholder insights on French govt. sponsored project on air quality management

With CEA’s plans to deploy advanced air quality monitoring tech in Colombo, experts think it would help support efforts to strengthen the ambient air quality in the city

One of the most significant environmental challenges faced by countries such as Sri Lanka regards the maintenance of air quality standards. Due to an increase in vehicular emissions, industrialisation and burning of waste, in addition to seasonal transboundary air pollution, the country works on the improvement of its air quality standards.  In this context, several Sri Lankan authorities forged a collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD), and in September 2023, the Ministry of Environment and AFD signed a grant for a technical assistance project for the development of local capacities for an evidence-based improvement of strategies and policies on air quality management in the Colombo Metropolitan Area. 

This technical assistance project was funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and initiated in collaboration with Airparif, a certified Organisation in charge of air quality monitoring in the Paris Region. The objectives of the project included providing training to local authorities such as the Ministry of Environment (MoE), Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) on how to maintain and calibrate monitoring devices, improve local laboratory practices and knowledge on how to obtain reliable data. This includes data management, data storage and disseminating data on air quality to the general public. During the project, representatives from local authorities also had a chance to visit Paris and observe the French air quality monitoring network, data management system and communication procedures. Finally, throughout the project, Airparif and CEA developed the first emission inventory for atmospheric pollutants in the Colombo Metropolitan Area, and the French organisations also donated high-quality devices to support air quality monitoring in the Western Province.

A valuable opportunity for officers at CEA 

The CEA is the main regulatory agency established to implement the National Environment Act (NEA), functioning under the Ministry of Environment. The Air Quality, Noise, and Vibration monitoring unit at CEA is responsible for air quality monitoring and management across the country. It has established four key regulations under the provisions of NEA related to Air Quality Management (AQM); the most interesting one being the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, which introduced permissible limits for six pollutants, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ground-level ozone. In addition, a National Air Quality Index was also introduced for public awareness, together with a contingency response plan to protect public health during air pollution events, including transboundary phenomena. 

Speaking about the project, Vernika Ranawaka Arachchi, Director of the Air Quality, Noise and Vibration monitoring unit, said that the project aimed to address the main gaps in technical knowledge.  “The Airparif experts’ team shared with us the data validation process, which plays an important role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of air quality data that can be supportive for policy making, research and public awareness. Our officers received training on air quality monitoring and passive sampling methods. Experts shared knowledge about the software they use in France to disseminate AQM data and interpretation. This was helpful for CEA because we are in the process of developing software for air quality data, and dissemination is a national requirement,” she added. 

Due to a lack of comprehensive training on service maintenance and calibrations, CEA officers have to depend on technical support from local agents for service and calibration and maintenance aspects. She further said that the training on inventory preparation had the most impact as it was the first opportunity that CEA officers received. “It was conducted efficiently and in a professional manner, and it was a great opportunity for us because in the future, we could independently manage the systems,” she explained. 

As part of the project, the CEA also received a set of calibration equipment to maintain automated ambient air quality analysers. Initially, such equipment wasn’t available at CEA, and officers lacked the know-how to use such equipment. In addition, the CEA was provided with an air quality monitoring sensor, a weather sensor and multi-pollutant monitoring equipment, which could analyse particulate matter. “CEA plans to install it at Colombo Fort to monitor ambient air quality, and it would support our efforts to strengthen the ambient air quality network,” Ranawaka Arachchi emphasised. 

She said that as a regulator, the main challenge faced by CEA regarded the establishment of a proper automated ambient air quality network in the country due to a lack of equipment and financial constraints. 

Improving technical know-how 

For over 30 years, the NBRO has undertaken air quality management at the national level. Data obtained by this authority had been used in policy development to analyse existing levels of air quality in Colombo and other areas. The NBRO has also taken several actions for the management of air quality. For example, developing the Clean Air 2000 action plan and redeveloping the Air Resource Management Centre (AIRMAC) under the Ministry of Environment.

“Through this project, we tried to do monitoring, site selection, etc, in a systematic way, and that is why we linked with AFD and this project,” said H. D. S Premasiri, Senior Scientist and Coordinator at the Air Quality, Noise and Vibrations Department at NBRO. “One of the tasks covered under this project was to develop a monitoring network. We also learned how to select a location in a network to represent different areas. In addition, we covered how the collected data could be stored and managed and disseminated to the public. Here we consider the time frequencies, data storage facilities, quality control and maintaining monitoring stations,” he added. 

The NBRO staff also received training on how to maintain and calibrate their air quality instruments, how to link all these devices to the central database and digital software, and how to disseminate communications with people. NBRO also received trainings on laboratory practices and chemical analysis. Premasiri thanked AFD and Airparif for the provision of calibration equipment which weren’t available at NBRO prior to the project. “Now we can do the calibration ourselves,” he further said. 

“Some of our officers had a chance to visit Paris and observe how they are operating their air quality monitoring system. They have given good insights on handling these systems and even conduct future forecasting and the identification of forecasting of hazardous situations or any disasters. The communication system they are using is suitable for Sri Lanka as well. With that training, we learned that instead of handling the national network, we can divert networks to local government areas. They’re monitoring systems, and everything is operated by the local government agent. We are doing it nationally, but we think it’s better to go to the local officers because they are more responsible and are working with the people,” he explained further.

The NBRO staff had also gained insights on how to verify its own data through data quality control. Premasiri explained. 

Premasiri further said that one in 50 people is being hospitalised due to air pollution-related illnesses. “It is a critical health problem. We have not yet studied the impact on public health during the seasonal transboundary air pollution period. We need a database to determine the origins of transboundary pollutants. On the other hand, air quality management is not identified as a priority area. Therefore, the financial allocation is limited when maintaining monitoring stations, databases and other resources,” he said in conclusion. 

Ministry appreciates international assistance 

The government is keen on maintaining a good air quality situation in the country despite the persisting challenges. Government authorities such as the Ministry of Environment are therefore determined to ensure that proper air quality standards are being maintained. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Environment Ministry Additional Secretary W. D. S. C Weliwatta said that poor air quality can impact people’s health as well as increase the costs of health in general for the government. “In addition to the impact on the respiratory tract, poor air quality could cause cardiac issues and lung problems as well. From an economic point of view, with poor air quality, there would be more patients, and the government would have to invest more in the health sector. This is the first project with regard to improving technical assistance on air quality management,” Weliwatta added. 

Reiterating strategies objectives of the project, Weliwatta said that Sri Lanka was able to receive high-quality devices in addition to training workshops for ministry officers on practical applications when using air quality monitoring equipment. He further said that as a member of the Paris Agreement, Sri Lanka has to lower its emissions, and reducing Greenhouse gas emissions is a national priority. “We have derived our own guidelines based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and have complied with several Sustainable Development Goals. We are also keen to improve regional collaboration to obtain funds and reactivate our commitments to the Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution,” he further said. 

According to Weliwatta, everybody has a responsibility to maintain good air quality. “People should know about pollutant sources, be aware of vehicular emissions, emissions from factories, comply with Environmental Protection License requirements and so on. On the other hand, stakeholders have a duty to regulate practices. In fact, everybody has a role to play in this process. We need to take steps to avoid any consequences because after we reach the worst-case scenario, it would be more difficult to address,” said in conclusion.