The EMA’s air quality Monitoring Station at Point Lisas has recorded an AQI (Air Quality Index) of 139 points—considered a level that is unhealthy for sensitive persons.
The most recent recording taken today was at 2 pm.
The high AQI suggests high particulate matter in the region, which could be the result of bush fires, along with general industrial and vehicular activity.
A reading of this level indicates an:
“Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive groups including older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies; aggravation of heart or lung disease; and premature mortality in people with heart or lung disease,” the EMA notes.
The EMA advises people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
The monitoring station at Mayaro has recorded a moderate AQI of 80 points.
“Respiratory symptoms are possible in unusually sensitive individuals,” the EMA explains.
It added: “Aggravation of heart or lung disease is possible in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults.”
People unusually sensitive to such changes in air quality are advised to consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
Meanwhile, the AQI levels at other monitoring stations range between 36 and 47 points—representing a good AQI report: Arima (36), Port-of-Spain (47), San Fernando (41), and Scarborough (39).
The EMA notes that outdoor activities can be enjoyed, and everyone is safe, when such levels are recorded.
The T&T Meteorological Service has forecast “mostly mild” concentrations of Saharan dust in the atmosphere over the Easter weekend, starting on Friday.
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About AQI and the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network
The EMA, through the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network has been obtaining accurate, real-time assessment of ambient air quality at strategic points nationally.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is, or how polluted it is forecast to become. As the AQI rises, an increasingly large percentage of the population is likely to experience severe adverse health effects.
There are currently seven Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations in Trinidad and Tobago. Six are located in Trinidad (Mayaro, Arima, Port of Spain, Point Lisas, San Fernando and Toco) and the seventh station is located at Signal Hill, Tobago.