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| Sunday, 2 June 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Breathing poison? With World Environment Day just three days away Jayanthi Liyanage takes a look at vehicular pollution which is in danger of chocking life to a standstill
Has anyone seen this penalty being imposed on a driver who huffs and puffs and chugs through the city's daily maelstrom, bisecting the traffic with trails of black fumes in its wake? The increase of vehicles on Sri Lanka's urban roads mean emission of more and more black smoke into our environment. "At times, there is so much smoke coming from the vehicle ahead that the driver behind cannot even see his way clearly. Motorbike riders get a full load of fumes," says Dr. Ajantha Perera, a leading environmentalist. "The Ministry of Environment revealed in 1996 that a traffic policeman had a high concentration of lead in his blood which could have come from lead-based petrol fumes, but nothing was done afterwards." She conducted a public gathering at the Auditorium of the National Library Services Board, Colombo 7, recently to discus how to maintain one's vehicle in order to reduce emission of noxious fumes into the environment. With the participation of the Transport Ministry, C.I.S.I.R., N.E.R.D., German Technical Institute, University lecturers, students, legal and media persons and school principales, the meeting was a platform for the formulation of a National Committee to fight this health hazard which , contributes to increased incidents of wheezing among young children. It also makes them increasingly vulnerable to lung cancer. "Lead affect one's nervous system but fumes are the real cause for cancer," says Dr. Perera. "Our meeting was not to criticise vehicle owners," she says, explaining, "We told them how their vehicles could be properly maintained. In other words, how to run the maximum miles without wasting petrol." And the environmental-friendly art of tuning and cleaning of carburettors. "When the vehicle is stationed, don't keep the engine running," she admonishes. "And prevent excessive traffic jams to prevent the emission of unnecessary exhaust fumes." The basic aim of the meeting was to impose technical road licensing for vehicles. "If a vehicle ejects a lot of black smoke, traffic regulations allow him to be spot-fined," says Dr. Perera. "Then, the traffic policeman can ask him to repair his vehicle. Only after proper repairs will the owner receive the license to go on the road." She calls for the re-implementation of currently neglected traffic regulations relating to vehicle fumes. A scheme of assistance for those who cannot afford repairs would be a good incentive, she feels. "What we decide on that day, will be in practice within a few days," promises Dr. Perera. "All I want is some visible action. I want this issue to be taken up by parents, schools and other groups. We are looking for leadership in different social areas." On June 5, World Environment Day, Dr. Perera invites a larger gathering, including school children, to the Colombo Public Library Auditorium, to follow the issue with a seminar. What is really in that thick black smoke? "Unburnt petrol fumes, Carbon Monoxide and Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitric Oxides and thick carbon particles," says Dr. Perera. "If petrol is made to burn properly, only Carbon Dioxide and water vapour will be emitted, which are less deadly to the environment." With gasoline, air pollution is minimal. But vehicle owners may cringe at the high cost that has to be borne in conversion to gas. And there will always be this nagging question about the efficiency of the new mechanism. "Vehicles break down rapidly, so owners are a little vary of conversion," she says. New petrol vehicles registered in 1970 stood at 3,435. It shot up to 34,126 in 1986. Since then, the number is reported to have increased by 7 X 3,435. In contrast, the 4,310 newly registered diesel vehicles recorded an increase of only 12,169 in 1986. But now, the number is expected to be 6 X 4,310. "User-preference is always for petrol vehicle, probably due to the taxes attached to diesel vehicles and easy repair. But, outstation travellers will always opt for diesel vehicle because of the low cost of diesel," explains Dr. Perera. From the total cancer cases found in New York and Los Angeles, more than 10,000 happens as a result of being exposed to diesel fumes which also leads to other respiratory diseases. Three million people die from air pollution each year, the World Health Organisation estimate reads. Dr. Perera finds it disheartening that Sri Lanka still has not conducted a comprehensive survey to unearth health facts and figures related to the hazards of vehicle fumes. However what she reveals is truly startling. "Some mornings, we see a thin mist pervading our surroundings. That really comes from vehicle fumes!" The same mist is the reason why the English nation is riddled with Bronchitis. "We say we are not that bad. That's because we don't know. Unless we make the issue of vehicle fumes a national concern, we are going to be saddled with a crippled nation!" But she points out regrettably that for many Sri Lankans living below the poverty line, economic factors measure higher in the scale than the health aspects. "But ultimately, what you earn is wasted in paying your hospital bills. So, why not make the correct decision now?" |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
A Motor Traffic Regulation which came into force in 1983 states that
any vehicle which emits a large amount of black fumes can be spot-fined by
the Police.
