Air Pollution Linked to Thousands of Deaths in Sri Lanka Every Year

COLOMBO (News 1st); Despite growing public awareness about the importance of safe food and clean water, far less attention is being paid to the quality of the air people breathe every day, the Ministry of Health has warned.

According to the Ministry's Director of Environmental Health and Occupational Health, Dr. Chandani Vithana, air pollution has become a major public health concern both globally and in Sri Lanka, contributing to a rising number of diseases and premature deaths.

Speaking on the issue, Dr. Vithana noted that while Sri Lanka has achieved significant progress in healthcare and public health standards, the quality of the air inhaled daily from birth until death remains an often overlooked issue.

She pointed out that air pollution continues to worsen worldwide and is responsible for millions of premature deaths each year. According to health estimates cited by the Director, between seven and eight million premature deaths are recorded globally every year due to air pollution, while approximately 7,000 premature deaths occur annually in Sri Lanka as a result of poor air quality.

Dr. Vithana explained that the primary causes of air pollution-related illnesses are harmful gases and microscopic particles present in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and extremely fine particulate matter known as PM2.5.

These pollutants, she said, enter the respiratory system during breathing, penetrate deep into the lungs and can even enter the bloodstream, leading to a wide range of serious health complications.

Among the most common health conditions associated with air pollution are asthma and other respiratory illnesses, which health authorities say are becoming increasingly prevalent in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Vithana further warned that prolonged exposure to polluted air can contribute to chronic lung diseases and lung cancer, while its effects are not limited to the respiratory system alone.

According to the Health Ministry, air pollution is also a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, making it a broader threat to public health than many people realize.