Approximately 7,000 premature deaths are recorded in Sri Lanka annually due to the effects of air pollution, the Ministry of Health has revealed.
Dr. Chandanee Withana, the Director of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Ministry of Health said that air pollution contributes to the deaths of around 7 to 8 million people worldwide every year.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Withana warned that rising levels of air pollution globally are leading to an increase in premature deaths caused by related health complications.
“Air pollution is increasing around the world, and as a result, premature deaths caused by it are also rising. Globally, between 7 and 8 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution. In Sri Lanka, around 7,000 premature deaths are reported annually due to the same cause,” she said.
Dr. Chandanee Withana explained that harmful particles and gases in polluted air, including fine particulate matter smaller than PM2.5, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, can enter the respiratory system, penetrate deep into the lungs, and even reach the bloodstream.
According to Dr. Withana, exposure to these pollutants can lead to a range of health conditions, including asthma, wheezing, chronic lung diseases, heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
Addressing the issue of household air pollution, she said indoor pollution caused by cooking practices can be significantly higher than outdoor pollution.
“Household air pollution is five times higher than outdoor air pollution. When firewood is burned for cooking, harmful gases are released and can accumulate indoors due to poor ventilation,” she said.
Dr. Withana added that while lung cancer was previously more commonly associated with men who smoked, cases among women are also increasing, partly due to exposure to indoor air pollution.
She advised against cooking with kerosene stoves or other polluting fuels in enclosed spaces due to the health risks associated with prolonged exposure.
