NBROs’ contribution to the National Air Quality Management has a long standing history as a pioneer air quality monitoring agency.
In all national committees and dialogues which were conducted to address the air pollution management in the country recognizes the Air Quality Unit of the ESSD as a leading mandated air quality monitoring facility. The unit has been disseminating ambient air quality status data to these committees for decision making apart from serving as technical experts in these committees. Further the unit which holds the largest air quality database in the country is shared with the scientific community at national and international workshops and conferences such as annual Air Resource Management Workshop and South Asia Better Air Quality Management Conference.
Currently the air quality monitoring unit includes staff and instrumentation of both field and laboratory monitoring. The unit has also developed a unique low cost monitoring facilities through extensive research to monitor SO2 and NOx in the ambient air by passive wet chemical monitoring techniques.
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 +94 112 367 134 Ext: 133/222 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Mr. H.D.S. PremasiriRMV Project
Monitoring of Ambient Air Quality in Main Urban Cities in Sri Lanka was started in the year 2012 by NBRO from the VET Trust Fund given by the VET Project of RMV and the project was continued in the 2016 as well.
The project is a nationally important project and the NBRO acts as the monitoring agency for Vehicular Emission Control Program, implemented by the government under “Clean Air 2012” program of which the main focus is to improve air quality by controlling vehicular emissions. Under this project, ambient air quality is monitored at Colombo, Gampaha, Horana, Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala and Anuradhapura areas.
The project involves collection of substantial amount of data in the field as well as in the laboratory, analysis of results using descriptive statistics and testing for statistical significance, preparation of reports of high quality including photographs, maps and graphical interpretations etc., and presenting outcomes at the official forums of VET steering committee and in national air quality forums.
The monitoring methodology uses passive sampling technology which includes a device developed by scientists in Air Quality Studies Unit of NBRO, which captures pollutants in the ambient air and analysis in the laboratory using standard wet analyses methods; NO2 – Saltzman’s method (Colorimetry) and SO2 - Ion Chromatography (IC) method.
The monitoring program covers urban cities in 10 districts of the country and collections of samples on monthly basis amounting to a total of 4312 samples.
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Passive Air Sampling |
Passive air Sampling Device |
| Urban Area | No of Locations | Urban Area | No of Locations |
| Colombo | 19 | Rathnapura | 8 |
| Gampaha | 11 | Kandy | 13 |
| Horana | 5 | Kurunegala | 6 |
| Kaluthara | 5 | Anuradhapura | 5 |
| Galle | 6 | Badulla | Started in July,2016 |
According to the monthly spatial variation of SO2 and NO2 levels from January to May of 2016, no significant variation of exposure levels can be seen. However, the locations which have indicated highest exposure levels in past years represent the highest levels in this year as well. Also the highest values are observed in high traffic congested areas compared to other surrounding areas. Accordingly, highest exposure levels are recorded in Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy & Galle urban areas compared to other areas. Average levels of SO2 and NO2 in each location are within the 24 hour average of National Ambient Air Quality standard levels. However, the average NO2 exposure levels in Colombo, Gampaha, Galle and Kandy areas exceeded the annual WHO Guideline levels and the average SO2 exposure levels of almost all areas exceeded the 24 hour WHO Guideline levels.
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Boxplot of SO2 Concentration in each urban area during the year 2016 |
Boxplot of NO2 Concentration in each urban area during the year 2016 |
Mr. HDS Premasiri, Coordinator of Air Quality Studies Unit is the lead scientist in this project and is solely responsible for execution of the project tasks within the time schedule, to produce deliverables with high quality meeting the required norms and participate in the technical forums.
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