Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed the air in the Greater Male' Region has become severely polluted.
Speaking to PSM News, Director General Ibrahim Naeem said the air pollution is likely to cause various health issues. Naeem said the number of pollutants and particular matter in the air is currently at unsafe levels, and that work is being done to install more devices to monitor air pollution. He said the source of the pollution cannot solely be from burning waste in Thilafushi and that other causes of pollution include construction work and emissions from vehicles. Particular matter can be released into the air from work such as laying tiles, placing in cement and putty, as well as the accumulation of dust in the streets, he detailed.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology has commenced work to establish an ambient air quality monitoring station in the Greater Male' Region. The ambient air quality monitoring station will allow the government to determine the amount and type of pollutants in the Greater Male' Region.
Experts have warned that the increase in vehicles and industrial activity and the resulting toxic fumes have increased in Greater Male' Region.
In 2019, the government launched the country's first National Action Plan on Air Pollutants, which specified the types of air pollutants and proposed measures to monitor sectors that cause air pollution. The measures are expected to drastically reduce air pollution by 2030 and are part of the government's efforts to protect the environment.