Laboratory Services Unit

Details

The Central Environmental Authority has a well equipped Laboratory which is capable of carrying out extensive tests and measurements in water quality, air quality, noise and vibrations. Analytical testing facilities are provided under commercial basis for those who need water, air, noise, soil and solid waste testing facilities.

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Sri Lanka

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring is an important part of the air quality management which ARM&M Unit holds and mainly contributes. Two automated ambient air quality monitoring stations which are currently located in Battaramulla; the administrative capital of the country, and Kandy city with complying national siting criteria that established with objectives of determination of real time ambient air quality data focusing air quality management, public awareness, guiding health concerns, trends & status analysis and sharing data & Information with decision markers, researches and intellectuals. Proper monitoring is a limelight to control and regulate industrial air pollution and other source to maintain the air quality at least up to the regulated standards. It provides background air quality data much needed for right industrial siting and towns planning, as well.

Six air pollutants, namely; Fine particles (PM2.5), course particles (PM10) Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), tropospheric ozone (O3) and Carbon Monoxides (CO) are monitored regularly. Air Quality Index (AQI) is disseminated for the public daily basis to keep them aware on the air quality and connected health concerns of the concern areas.
The monitoring facility of meteorological parameters such as wind speed and wind direction, relative humidity (RH) and temperature were also integrated with the monitoring stations as meteorological data are essential for data analysis and interpretation of results.

The monitoring is being carried out with the aid of Department of Motor Traffic to ensure the uniformity, consistency of air quality data and obtaining technical and financial support for operating the monitoring stations. Ambient air quality monitoring at Colombo Fort is carried out and it is basically for determination of PM10 using high volume sampling, and nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide levels using wet chemical method.  Visit http://203.115.26.10/2020/Air%20Quality%20Web/Scaffold/index.html for daily updates of Air Quality Indices (AQI) published using the data of Battaramulla and Kandy AAQMS

Monitoring data

Table 1: PM2.5 daily average variation during the period of 17.05.2019 to 29.11.2019 in Kandy and Colombo City Areas

Table 2:PM10 daily average variation during the period of 17.05.2019 to 29.11.2019 in Kandy and Colombo City Areas

Data Sources: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations granted by Vehicle Emission Trust Fund, operated by CEA, at Kandy and Battaramulla.

Monitored Frequency

A round a clock real-time automated monitoring of pollutants is carried out (1-hourly sampling for all pollutants, 8- hourly sampling for carbon monoxide for and 24-hourly sampling for particulate matter) by using two fixed monitoring stations.

Industrial Noise and vibration measurements

-    Noise pollution from prescribed industries, and noise pollution caused by construction activities are regulated by the National Environmental (noise control) Regulations sanctioned in 05.06.1996 published by the gazette No: 924/12. The permissible noise levels, measurement methodology and instruments executed for measurement are specified in the regulations.

-    The vibration level measurements are carried out in accordance with the methods lay down in ISO-4866:1990E, as stipulated in the Proposed Vibration Standards by the Central Environmental Authority.

Stationary Sources Emissions

-    In order to track release of pollutants through air emissions and effluent discharge from prescribed industries with high pollution potential and to measure the emission levels, the regulations published on 05.06.2019 under the gazette No: 2126/36 is executed. This regulates combustion and non-combustion instruments releasing air emissions. Fugitive emissions escaped from industrial process and emission areas are controlled by using the regulations.

Traffic Noise Assessment Criteria for Expressways

-    The government is in the view of developing public transport system for making a solution for traffic congestion as well transportation induced environmental pollution control, and accordingly the ARM&M Unit developed planning and designing supportive tool focusing the management of environment and maintain the environment quality of the country while public transportation projects will come to affect.

-    ARM & M Unit plays a pivotal role in preparation of guidelines for traffic noise assessment criteria for expressways in Sri Lanka serving the objectives of planning, construction and operation of expressways. Through the guidelines, CEA assists the government authorities, projects proponents and consultants in planning such projects. Further CEA guides for noise measurements, monitoring, modeling and prediction in expressway projects for institutions who are involved in. Additionally the guidelines serve the purpose of noise impact assessments and pre & post compliance verifications for Environmental Impact Assessments or Initial Environmental Examinations of such projects.

-    The guideline was come to effect with 2018.

Rail Noise Assessment Criteria for Rapid Rail Transit Systems

-    ARM & M Unit establishes the guidelines for rail noise assessment criteria for rapid rail transit systems. It regulates the planning, construction and operation of rapid rail transit systems. The assessment criteria govern the application in noise impact assessment, pre & post compliance verifications for Environmental Impact Assessments or Initial Environmental Examinations of rapid rail projects. It also determines the noise disturbance on a quantitative manner and for regulatory requirements and offer an introductory treatise on noise control in rapid rail systems.

-    The guideline was come to effect with 2018.