Controlling of vehicle emissions, construction dust, imperative to maintaining air quality

Sri Lanka’s air quality is likely to improve in the coming days, but vehicle emissions and dust from constructions need to be controlled to avoid aggravating the situation.

By Hassaan Shazuli

Sri Lanka’s air quality is likely to improve in the coming days, but vehicle emissions and dust from constructions need to be controlled to avoid aggravating the situation.

The country’s air quality had dropped recently posing a threat to sensitive groups which include those with respiratory illnesses, children, and the elderly.

Dust from India which had contributed towards severe smog, reached the country due to north-westerly winds caused by a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said.

In addition, smoke emitted from vehicles and dust being released from constructions in the country further agravated the situation, experts say.

“This situation has been resolved since the cyclone has died off,” A.K. Karunanayake, the Meteorological Department’s Director General told Times Online.

However, dust entering Sri Lanka’s atmosphere through smoke emissions and constructions should be controlled to prevent the air quality from deteriorating.

This is because dust particles get clogged up in the atmosphere due to the mist during the inter-monsoonal period between October and November, Karunanayake explained.

- Vehicle smoke emission tests vital

The NBRO says proper smoke emission tests should be carried out on vehicles to prevent more dust particles being released to the atmosphere.

“Sometimes these tests are not carried out properly,” H.D.S. Premasiri, a NBRO Senior Scientist told Times Online.

He alleged that sometimes emission certificates are issued in exchange for money.

Premasiri pointed out the need to curb unnecessary usage of vehicles, and minimise traffic congestion, as air quality is dependent on these factors.

Environmentalists are also echoing similar concerns.

“We are discussing going to the courts against the Police and the government authorities for not taking adequate measures,” Centre for Environmental Justice Chairman Ravindranath Dabare told Times Online.

Dabara opined that it was preferable to use electrical cars instead of the ones which run on fuel.

Officials at the Department of Motor Traffic were not immediately available for comment.

- Role of state authorities

The Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) – the apex body for the construction sector disagrees with the NBRO’s viewpoint of buildings being major contributors to this situation.

CIDA Director General H.K. Balachandra conceded that there are no specific laws imposed on buildings to prevent dust from entering the environment.

“The NBRO is conducting a survey. If there is a need to implement laws we will do the needful,” he noted.

However, State Development and Construction Corporation Chairman M.R. Jeyachandran says most consultants in construction sites are “not bothered” about taking environmental effects into consideration.

“Due to improper management, most of the newly constructed buildings are demolished,” he observed.

Jeyachandran called on CIDA to establish a mechanism through which reports are collected monthly to address this issue.

Against this backdrop, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) says it is unfair to blame India for the current situation.

“There is no sufficient evidence to state that India should take responsibility over this matter,” CEA Deputy Director Kamal Priyantha told Times Online.

He said that this situation had arisen due to the change in wind direction which brought foreign dust particles to the country.

“However, we cannot determine the country it had come from,” the Deputy Director noted.

He added that factors such as vehicle emissions, constructions, factories, and also burning of garbage could have contributed to this situation.

He said that the CEA, will however, continue to monitor Air Quality Levels, through two of its monitoring stations in Kandy and Battaramulla.

Nevertheless, the recent drop in air quality levels has been an eye opener, drawing attention towards a matter which is not discussed in length, despite its importance.

- Health concerns

The public has been urged to immediately seek medical advice if they feel uncomfortable and develop symptoms such as headaches, nausea, chest pain, and breathing difficulties.

“If the air quality levels are low, it is better to avoid being exposed,” Colombo General Hospital Coordinator Pushpa Ramyani de Soysa told Times Online.

She also urged the public to avoid contributing to the pollution of air as a result of smoking, household and industrial matters.

For the coming week, the NBRO’s Air Quality Unit has predicted that air quality levels could range between 50 and 100 – meaning a moderate air quality.