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Norochcholai coal plant toxic emissions under scrutiny
View(s):By Anushiya Sathisraja
Harm caused to the ocean by the heated water released from the plant: Fishermen sort out the fish from marine life that have been destroyed and got caught in their nets. Pic by Hiran Priyankara
Deadly air pollution continues due to the misuse of air quality standrads by the Norochcholai coal power plant, experts say.
For too long power plants have used the environment like an open sewer for emissions. These emissions fuel climate change and also pose a serious threat to human health and the environment.
Air pollution downwind from a power plant depends on shifts in the air. On some days, there are hardly any fine particles that contribute to health problems such as asthma. On other days, there is more than twice as much. According to the National Environment Acts No 56 of 1988 and No 53 of 2000, obtaining the environmental protection licence from the Central Environmental Authority is mandatory for the power generation sector.
Along with the licence, the Norochcholai plant should also obtain the Certificate of Environmental Clearance for the coal-fired power plant since it is located in the Northwestern Provincial Council area.The CEA on March 1 will investigate the air pollution as well as the harm caused to the ocean by the heated water released, Acting Deputy General of Environment Pollution Control Division, Dr Sanjaya Ratnayake, said.
To manage the ambient air quality of the country, a project titled ‘Blue Sky 2020’, will be launched by year end, he said. “Its aims are to bring the country towards World Health Organisation interim targets by 2020,’’ he said. “The CEA is working with the health ministry to assess the trends and impact of air pollution in this regard.
Dr Ratnayake said various air pollutants across the country are being monitored. Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Dr D M S Batagoda said that, “some media often reports that farmers complain about the [coal] dust, but according to my knowledge their farming activities are taking place without any interruptionâ€