Air pollution as a silent killer

According to World Health Organisation ( WHO) reports, it is estimated that approximately 7 million people die annually due to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia, mainly caused by exposure to polluted air. Alarmingly, South- East Asia, which includes Sri Lanka accounts for 2 million deaths.

Unlike other illnesses where remedial action can be taken immediately, air pollution is not visible, and is silent, with very few taking the problem seriously and only doing so when the situation is dire, putting their life, health and well-being at risk.

In Sri Lanka too, it is cause for serious concern. Health authorities estimate over 45% of children admitted to hospitals as a result of air pollution related illnesses. Additionally, WHO’s ‘Ambient air pollution: A global assessment of exposure and burden of disease’also estimate 7,792 deaths occur annually in Sri Lanka due to air pollution-related disease.

In Sri Lanka, the main source of ambient air pollution is vehicular emissions. Ambient air pollutionis mainly caused by pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Oxides, Hydro Carbon and Carbon Monoxide, air toxics, and fine particulate matter.

While it is important to ensure ambient air is at safe levels, according to the 2019 IQAirAirVisualWorld Air Quality Report, Sri Lanka’s PM2.5 concentration, weighted by population is a moderate average of 25.20. Notably, this is a marked improvement from last year’s average of 32.00. Sri Lanka also fares positively in air quality compared to other South Asian countries with Bangladesh highlighted as the most polluted country with an alarming 83.3 PM2.5.

Among the main factors contributing towards this positive outlook is the ongoing

Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) programme, which is mandatory for a majority of the vehicles. Despite the number of vehicles in the country having increased exponentially and ensuing traffic congestions, the ambient air quality continues to remain at satisfactory levels.

Thus it is the responsibility of all vehicle owners to understand the importance of the emission test which not only helps to ensure their vehicles are well maintained and benefitting from savings on fuel costs but also the vital role the programme plays in improving air quality in urban areas.

Despite air pollution having been identified as a silent killer destroying lives, constructive action such as vehicle emission testing can positively contribute to reducing the amount of pollution thus improving the quality of life.