Air pollution is becoming an eminent threat to humanity and long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs.
Understanding the impact of air pollution in congested cities, Mobitel has joined hands with the University of Peradeniya to conduct research on air pollution in Kandy, for which Mobitel will be the connectivity partner to facilitate data transmission of air pollution monitoring sensors.
Kandy being the iconic heritage city in Sri Lana with increasing populace every day, the study will focus on measuring air pollution in Kandy using KOALAs (Knowing Our Ambient Local Air Quality) technology developed by Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
Further, the research will also identify the primary sources and levels and patterns of air pollution, which will help the authorities to understand the magnitude of the issue.
A project of this nature will also raise awareness of air pollution amongst the public and in future leverage the possibility of linking pollution to health data.
Other eminent partners in this notable project are the University of Melbourne in Australia; Institute of Fundamental Studies Sri Lanka and Central Environment Authority.
