Celebration of the 25th Year Anniversary of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA)

AirMAC Stall at Environmental Educational Exhibition
28th to 30th July 2006, BMICH, Colombo

Clean Air Sri Lanka together with Air Resource Management Centre, Environment Economics and Global Affairs division, Ministry of Environment featured at this exhibition with an Educational Exhibition Stall decorated with awareness creation banners, posters etc. Vehicle Emission Testing Equipments (such as Smoke meter) were also displayed with demonstrations. Video shows on air pollution and its adverse health effects were displayed through a projector.

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Clean Air Sri Lanka and CAI-ASIA arrange a tour for Bus Operators to study Hong Kong transport system

Clean Air Sri Lanka and CAI-Asia arranged a visit for Sri Lankan bus operators to study the Hong Kong transport system. A Sri Lankan delegation comprising of nineteen leading bus operators and three officials from the Western province Council and the Central Government and Local Journalist went on a three day tour to Hong Kong (25 – 27 July 2006) to study its transport system in general and the Public Transport System in particular. The main objective was to seek the possibility of adopting some good practices in the Sri Lankan Public Bus System.

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AirMAC to clear indoor air too!
Indoor air pollution pilot project commenced

The AirMAC & National Building Research Organization (NBRO) launched indoor air pollution pilot project (IAPP) on 3rd August 2006. The first consultation workshop was held at the CETRAC conference hall.

Experts on indoor air quality such as Dr. K.R.R. Mahanama, Dr. R.L. Wijayamuni and Mr. R.M. Amarasekara enlightened the audience on different impacts of indoor air quality. The audience provided their valuable inputs to structure the project better.

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Notice: Write Proposals

Proposals are called from Asia Pro Eco II and Advancing Capacity to Support Climate Change Adaptation (ACCCA). Interesting candidates could write proposals to Asia Pro Eco II to support air quality management and sustainable urban transport and ACCCA to support climate change adaptation.

Further informations are attached.

For more informations
E-mail - airmac@sltnet.lk

CleanAir Sri Lanka
C/O Air Resource Management Centre
Parisara Piyasa
No. 104
Robert Gunawardene Mawatha
Battaramulla

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Notice: Selection of the AQM Champion

Nominations are called from Sri Lankan expertise on selection of the AQM (Air Quality Management) Champion. Selected one candidate will be represented the Asian AQM Champions 2006. Local network CleanAir Champions will deliver a presentation in the BAQ 2006 at Indonesia BAQ 2006 and participants will be given the opportunity to vote for the BAQ 2006 Clean champions.

Applicants should send a brief description (not more than 2 pages) of their contributions on the relevant field, events or publications (National or international level) with in 10 days time (20th March) to airmac@sltnet.lk .

CleanAir Sri Lanka
C/O Air Resource Management Centre
Parisara Piyasa
No. 104
Robert Gunawardene Mawatha
Battaramulla

Technicians Training Programme

In preparation for the Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) Programme, the Air Resource Management Center (AirMAC) has designed several training programmes to support the VET programme.

The Technician Training Programme has been arranged to train Mechanics who are working in the repair centres where engine repairs and fuel pump repairs are carried out. A training manual has already been prepared by the AirMAC through one of its partners organizations, University of Moratuwa with the funding of United States Asin Environmental Partnership (USAEP).

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Vehicle Certification Programme

AirMAC initiated the Vehicle Certification Programme with its partners mainly the Ministry of Transport, Highway and civil Aviation and Department of Motor Traffic supported by all other agencies including private sector. There, it was decided to implement a Vehicle Certification Programme in order to combat the rising air pollution especially in urban centres. Bids were called from interested parties to establish test only centres to test & issue Vehicle Emission Certificate and AirMAC received altogether 10 proposals. AirMAC has already evaluated the eligible proposals and the offering suitable candidates to establish testing centres is expected by mid December 2003.

Introduction of 2T oil in loose form

Sri Lanka has a 2-stroke vehicle fleet of around 500,000 two and three wheelers. Most of these vehicles use SAE 30 and SAE 40 engine oils as lubricant oil in place of 2 T oil. This has resulted in the increase of air pollution from these 2 -stroke vehicles in addition to being detrimental to the engine.

Many 2- stroke vehicle owners complain that they have been compelled to use SAE 30 & SAE 40 because 2 T oil is not available in the fuel station in the loose form, and they have to buy 2T oil as cans.

Under this scenario the AirMAC has stated discussions with fuel suppliers to make 2 T oil available in fuel station in loose form while displaying the hazards to the engines by the use of engine oils in place of 2 T oil.

Sri Lanka Air Quality Index (SLAQI)
A Guide to Air Quality and Our Health

Introduction

What is the SLAQI?
The SLAQI is an index for reporting daily/weekly air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted our air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for us. The SLAQI focuses on health effects, which we may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. Air MAC calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980 and regulations made under Section 32: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of these pollutants, there are established national ambient air quality standards to protect public health. These standards are gazetted in the government gazette of 20.12.1994.

How does the SLAQI work?
Think of the SLAQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, an SLAQI value of 50 represents good air quality with little potential to affect public health, while an SLAQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. An SLAQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level EPA has set to protect public health. SLAQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When SLAQI values are above 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy, at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as SLAQI values get higher.

Understanding the SLAQI
The purpose of the SLAQI is to help you understand what local air quality means to your health. To make it easier to understand, the SLAQI is divided into six categories:

These regulations made by the Minister of transport, Highways, Environment and women`s Affairs under section 32 of the National Environmental Act, NO. 47 of 1980, read with sections 23P, 23Q and of the Act.