Air quality indices (AQI) ranging from 151 to 153 points have been recorded at the monitoring stations in Toco and Port of Spain, as of 11 am, today. Such AQI levels are designated UNHEALTHY.
An advisory issued by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) notes that the current Saharan dust event is contributing to such unhealthy AQI.
“The increase in Particulate Matter (PM) is attributed to Saharan dust and the levels range between 151 to 153,” the EMA advisory explains.
“Everyone—in particular, sensitive groups including older adults, children and individuals with heart or lung disease, respiratory ailments and allergies—are strongly advised to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.”
UNHEALTHY air quality levels recorded as at 11 am on Monday 22 April 2024, at the EMAs Ambient Air Quality Monitoring station in Port of Spain, Trinidad. [Image courtesy EMA]
Other AQI monitoring stations have registered unhealthy levels.
“The AQI levels at the Monitoring Stations at Scarborough, Pt Lisas, Mayaro, San Fernando and Arima range between 117 to 143, representing air quality that is UNHEALTHY for SENSITIVE GROUPS,” the EMA reports.
Members of the public are advised to visit the EMA’s website and social media pages for daily updates on air quality in Trinidad and Tobago. Real-time updates on air quality also can be accessed at https://ei.weblakes.com/RTTPublic/DshBrdAQI.
About the AQI
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 (Toco, Mayaro, Arima, Port of Spain, Point Lisas and San Fernando), and the seventh station is located at Signal Hill, Tobago.