Ground level Sulphur Dioxide measurements in the Western and the Central Divisions are within the World Health Organisation’s standards.

This means that the air we breathe is safe, says Minister for Environment Mahendra Reddy.

He said to undertake similar tests, a team of environment officers would be deployed to the Lau Group of islands to carry out air quality monitoring in the coming days.

This follows the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano over the weekend.

Mr Reddy said these assessments were done to determine air quality in the upper troposphere and to measure ground-level air quality.

“Following the eruption, the Ministry of Environment used satellite imagery and data to confirm an increase in Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) concentrations over Fiji in the upper troposphere creating slightly acidic rain,” he said.

He urged members of the public to thoroughly wash any agricultural produce before consuming it directly in the upcoming days.

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