As at 6am yesterday, air pollution status stood at an unhealthy for sensitive groups air quality level at Colombo and unhealthy air quality level in Battaramulla measured by PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter).
The ' unhealthy for sensitive groups ' level, which ranges from 101-150, means the “Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected’”, and the ‘unhealthy’ level, which ranges from 151-200, means that “Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more seious health effects”, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) categorizations.
According to the forecast, Colombo’s air pollution status will be unhealthy for sensitive groups for few hours yesterday. The air quality levels today and tomorrow will be at moderate level. However, these forecast levels are subjected to the weather condition and wind profile of the country, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) said citing the AQI predictions of the US Embassy in Colombo.