TT to join in clean air celebrations

TT will join in the celebration of the UN’s first ever International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on Monday.

In a release, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) said TT is a member of the BreatheLife campaign, which aims to mobilise cities and people to bring air pollution to safe levels by 2030. It said activities will focus on the central theme of improving air quality and will include a webinar, publication of video clips, a call for corporate entities and persons to pledge commitments/actions.

The EMA said addressing air pollution is one of TT’s priorities, as while sensitive groups may be more susceptible when exposed to air pollution, prolonged exposure will affect an increased proportion of the population.

“Long term exposure to air pollutants is known to reduce lung function and cause respiratory illness, which supports the growing body of evidence that poor air quality can leave persons at greater risk for contracting the covid19, leading to serious illness and sometimes death. The 2018 National Environmental Policy (NEP) emphasises that protecting human health through pollution control is a national priority and responsibility of all. When it comes to protecting our health from air pollution, everyone has a role to play.”

It said as the first Caribbean country to join the BreatheLife campaign, TT is committed to reducing its emissions and fostering the protection of human health and the environment.

“Air pollution levels must be measured so they can be managed. The EMA has established a national network of air quality monitoring stations, knows as the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network (AAQMN). Three ambient air quality monitoring stations are in Port of Spain, Point Lisas and Signal Hill, Tobago. The data and information collected from these stations are used to track and analyse pollution trends, conduct impact assessments of pollution sources, as well as determine compliance with existing standards. This information, in turn, assists in targeting strategies for air pollution control, which results in better air quality. Cleaner air means a population less susceptible to covid19.”

As part of managing air quality levels, the EMA has developed an air quality index (AQI), a colour-coded number used for reporting daily air quality in real time. The AQI displays air quality data, using visualisation tools in a format that is easily understood by the general public and advises the groups of persons who should be concerned and actions to take. The EMA is encouraging the public to visit the AQI website to view the real time air quality information.