Last week’s Air Quality (AQ) was moderate (AQI 51 – 100) in Digana, Gampaha, Battaramulla (CEA), Negombo, and Kurunegala while Nuwara Eliya, Akurana, Colombo, Amabalanthota, and Battaramulla (Pelawatta) it was good (AQI 0-50).
Last week air was transported from the Arabian Sea, at speeds of 25 – 45 km/h at an elevation of 1.2 km. Therefore, air quality conditions shall likely remain clean for the next week.
Weekly Average AQI for selected cities
Digana recorded the highest weekly averageAQI of 85. Nuwara Eliya recorded the lowest weekly AQI of 24.
Observed fine particulate measurements by the minute for last week
The AQ variation at a fine temporal scale is shown in Pelawatte and colombo for last three days. The peak value in Pelawatte was about 170 and Colombo was about 110.
Air Quality impact on human health
Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) are generally 2.5 microns and smaller in size. Such particles are inhalable and easily lodges inside the lungs reducing capacity.PM2.5 is a concern for people’s health when levels in the air are high. The levels of risk are shown in the dial shown against the US EPA air quality standards. AQ has a scale that run from 0-500, that tells you how clean or polluted your air is. Each level on the scale corresponds to a different level of health concern.