Public advised to mask up as air quality likely to worsen over next few days

Air quality indicators may increase to slightly unhealthy or unhealthy levels throughout the country in the next few days, the Environmental Studies & Services Division of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said today.

The Air Quality Index(AQI) across the Island is at moderate to significantly unhealthy levels at present.

It forecast is that the AQI level will be between 68 – 140 over the day indicating slightly unhealthy level in most of the cities while it’ll be at a moderate level in Jaffna, Kurunegala, Vavuniya, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa and Kalutara.

NBRO said the unhealthy air quality level is due to the polluted wind flow coming from the north region with transboundary conditions caused by the wind direction.

The public have been  advised  to wear face masks whenever possible and to seek immediate medical advice if sensitive individuals experience breathing difficulties.