Air, water pollutants possible cause for rise in respiratory,  kidney diseases - Prof. Vitarana

COLOMBO: The increase in the number of asthma, respiratory and kidney diseases could be due to air and water pollutants although it is not yet confirmed, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana said.

Vehicular emissions include not only gaseous substances but particulate matter such as Codmium, Ferrous, Copper, Vanadium, Lead etc. which accumulate in the atmosphere. These substances not only are airborne but also come down with rain and affect surface water and ground water, the Minister said.

Prof. Vitarana was addressing a ‘Meeting on Air Pollution in the Asian region’ organised by the Atomic Energy Authority at Hotel Galadari on Monday. All the countries in the Asian region have to work in collaboration with each other to preserve their environments for future generations, the Minister said.

He said Asian region countries have to face common challenges. “One such challenge is global warming resulting in climatic changes caused by burning of fossil flues which emit various gaseous pollutants such as carbon dioxide and oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.

Extreme weather conditions experienced by all the countries in the region are due to the green house effect caused by the gases. Not only environmental changes but also many other challenges particularly which affect the economic development are common to Sri Lanka and neighbouring countries,” Prof. Vitarana said. The meeting was to review the data generated through nuclear analytical techniques by scientists attending the meeting.