Unhealthy Air conditions attributed to bad weather, vehicle emissions

By Huzefa Aliasger  
The recent Air Quality Index (AQI) of the Jaffna district surpassed 150 which is considered unhealthy is attributed to reasons such as adverse weather conditions in the previous month and high contamination levels in the air caused mainly by vehicle emissions, an official said.   
Individuals with breathing difficulties and sensitive to air are advised to seek medical attention according to the National Building Research Organization.  
 “Normally during the Northeast monsoon the pollution level increases which affects the air quality, however the annual average AQI is low” Senior Scientist of the Air Quality Unit at the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) H.D.S. Premasiri told Daily Mirror.   The annual average AQI of Sri Lanka was reported at an AQI level of 66 which is considered to be at moderate levels.  
“It is forecasted that AQI level will be between 56 – 160 over the day indicating slightly unhealthy levels in most urban areas while unhealthy level in Jaffna due to the extreme weather conditions and transboundary conditions happening from northern region” The National Building Research Organization mentioned in their report of AQI today.  
Other districts of the country also face AQI levels of 101- 150 which is considered slightly unhealthy which is caused due to pollution and dust particles in the atmosphere which is expected to reduce towards the end of the monsoon.