According to the Real Time Air Quality Index (AQI), the level of air pollution in Sri Lanka’s atmosphere is still at risk and the country will experience unhealthy air quality conditions.
Unhealthy levels of air pollution have also been shown in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Dambulla, Matale, Negombo, Kandy, Colombo, Ratnapura, Ambalangoda and Galle.
Unhealthy air quality conditions are reported to be experienced in these regions, and people with respiratory complications are advised to take precautions such as wearing masks and staying indoors.
Meanwhile, areas such as Batticaloa, Mahiyangana, Monaragala, Hulandawa, Hungama show an unhealthy level and there are certain pollutants and it is a health problem for very few people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Nuwara Eliya and Diyathalawa are designated as having moderate air pollution (acceptable air quality).
Air Quality Indicators (AQIs) provide a measure of air pollution levels categorized by health effects.
The US AQI, which is widely used globally, ranges from 0 to 500, with lower values indicating better air quality.
Levels are divided into six categories from “good” (0-50) to “dangerous” (301-500) based on pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, ozone, and NO₂.
