Preserving air quality is everyone’s social responsibility

Friday, 24 October 2014 00:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The environmental impact from automobile emissions has become a major global concern today. World over, the noxious fumes pollute the air and contribute to major environmental and health hazards. Taking a proactive stance towards air quality management, the Sri Lankan authorities implemented the Vehicle Emission Test program in year 2008. The program is implemented and monitored by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) in collaboration with Air Resource Management Center (AirMAC), Ministry of Environment and two private companies appointed by the Government for the testing and issuance of the certificate. Laugfs Eco Sri Ltd has a network of over 100 fixed centres and 150 mobile testing locations. The air quality management brings major health benefits to the nation. High emission levels are hazardous to the respiratory systems. Association exists between ambient air pollution (with respect to SO2 and NOx) and illnesses such as COPD and acute wheezing in children. In this study, there was a clear correlation between the maximum and minimum levels of SO2 and NOx vs. daily count of children experiencing wheezing and requiring nebulisation in Colombo hospitals. As vehicular emissions are heavy in density, they settle in the lower layers of the atmosphere, directly within the range of human inhalation. Air quality of the city of Colombo which is the most urbanised is currently improving. A recent ADB study of key Asian cities indicated the air quality of Colombo to be moderate and within the 72 to 82 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) range, despite increasing vehicle population and continued urbanisation trends. This however, exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) annual guideline 20μg/m3 which shows that Sri Lanka still has a long way to go in achieving clean air status. “A badly-maintained vehicle has a high probability of failing the VET test than a well maintained vehicle. Annual Vehicle Emission Test is therefore infact a good diagnostic test to identify faults in the combustion process,” explained Laugfs Eco Sri Ltd Head of Operations Nalin Dissanayake. “If the vehicle fails the test, it can be rectified in most instances through a repair or a maintenance such as cleaning or replacing the air filters, spark plugs or fuel filter; tuning the engine; checking and calibrating the diesel injector nozzles or getting an EFI or a carburetor tune-up in case of petrol vehicles. These repairs and maintenance work will not only help the vehicle pass the VET but also save running costs due to increased fuel efficiency,” added Laugfs Eco Sri Ltd Head of Technical Chinthana Wagapitiya. A technical help desk manned by qualified technical personnel are dedicated to offer free advice to the public who wish to clarify any concerns regarding the Vehicle Emission testing or on how to repair a failed vehicle. Call 011-7 770 770 for any information regarding Vehicle Emission testing.