Experiencing Research work at Poly U with Prof. Lee’s Research Team
Bimalka, November 2008- February 2009

There is a roadside air quality monitoring station in poly U established in 2003 and managed by Prof. Lee and his research staff. My self and Linh went and visit the station with Cheng and Jennifer who are in the research team. There are five different types of particulate matter monitors fixed at this station and each has different functions. During the research period back ground air monitoring is carried out at the Hok Tsui atmospheric research station which also belongs to Poly U. In the early days this station involved in monitoring NO2, CO2, humidity and temperature apart from the PM measurements. However currently there is no air quality monitoring occurs at this station as the project has completed and new project yet to come. This gave a real understanding of different types of PM analyzers that are available in Poly U for research activities and what kind of instrument to purchasers for particular research activity in future.

I have carried out VOC sampling at the University premises with Prof. Lee’s students and carried out analysis of the collected samples at the Air laboratory using GCMS. This research was focused on exhort emissions from the laboratories of one of the building (Y block) in the university premises. We have observed and made notes on the activities happening in the laboratories and then went to the roof-top of the building and fixed the VOC samples with the relevant exhort lines for 15 minutes. Collected samples were analyzed using GCMS. This research is facilitated by the University Health Safety and Environmental committee and carried out by Prof. Lee’s Research team. To reduce VOC emissions, the Hong Kong government has implemented control measures to recover petrol vapour released during petrol unloading and refueling at petrol stations, and to tighten emissions standards of motor vehicles in line with the European Union standards. The VOC regulation, effective from 1 April 2007 under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, controls the VOC content in architectural paints/coatings, printing inks and six broad categories of consumer products (i.e. air fresheners, hairsprays, multi-purpose lubricants, floor wax strippers, insecticides and insect repellents); and requires emission reduction devices to be installed on certain printing machines. VOC Analysis is an important tool for me to learn and apply in Sri Lanka. Apart from the primary pollutant measured such as SO2, NOX and PM, we should focus on VOC analysis. It gave me an opportunity to learn sampling techniques of VOC and to have hands on experience with the GCMS. It also gave me a chance to get to know the Research team better.

There are many instruments available in the Air Laboratory of Poly U that is used for different purposes. Hands on experience on these instruments make me understand its functions better. Certain instruments are very expensive such as (OC/EC Analyzer / thermal/optical carbon analyzer) therefore it is very unlikely that I will get a chance to use them back in Sri Lanka. However this gave me and idea what kind of in-depth research that we could focus with the help of collaboration studies.

I also involved with indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring project carried out by the Air Lab. Went for Indoor Air Quality sampling out side Poly U at Sham Shui Po- Public Housing Estate with Prof. Lee’s students. This was one of the researches carried out in University of Polytechnic by Prof. Lee’s students. Research has focused on indoor air quality monitoring in a construction site of one flat of the Public Housing Estate. Measurements were carried out for 8 hours during construction and painting period, with pre and post measurement days. This gave me an opportunity to learn and get hands on experience about most of the sampling equipments used at the air laboratory. This also gave me an exposure of the public housing estates and culture of these people living in Hong Kong. These apartments are given by the government for low income people and the living area is quite small with a small toilet and a kitchen where four to five people share.

As part of the same project I went for sampling at Tin Shui Wai (a newly developed town in rural area) in New Territories, Public Housing Estate to collect the air samples. Various pollutants were measured for 8 hours inside and outside one of the apartments (corridor). Moreover some air samples were collected in air bags for further analysis of NO2, CO and NMHC using Air Lab analyzers. This research contains lot of hard work, one research assistant has to stay continuously for 8 hours at the sampling site during measurement period and it was far from Poly U. There are many instruments to be move from laboratory to sampling site. This was a great experience for me to learn the indoor air pollution research techniques.

I have attended for lectures on Indoor Air Quality Management by Prof. S. C. Lee. Under this lecture series, I was able to learn about indoor air pollutants and sources, Hong Kong’s IAQ management programme, available indoor air quality standards in HK and Indoor modeling and many more. It also revised what I have learned at University of Moratuwa. These lectures were very interested to me and I was passionate by his lecturing style. Limited indoor air quality research has been done in Sri Lanka and this knowledge make me felt that there is lot more to do in future. Hope I can contribute my knowledge back in Sri Lanka to improve indoor air pollution.