POLLUTION

AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT

Introduction
Development of Jaigaon planning area in eco-friendly manner requires a conception of environmental philosophy on the basis
of which the development policy is to be formulated.

Air pollution consistently ranks as one of the major environmental concerns and primary cause of adverse health effects on
human beings. The urban air quality is decreasing due to intense pressure of a combination of different driving forces, e.g.
urbanization, industrialization, and an increase in urban population density.

Objectives
To assess the status of urban environment in terms of air quality.
To analyze the causes, sources and important factors responsible for degradation of urban air quality.
To estimate the levels of various pollutants in industrial, commercial, residential areas and at traffic intersections.
To map the temporal variation of urban Air quality and identify the vulnerable areas.
To determine air quality assessment methods.
To understand the important Environmental Protection Acts.
To prepare a database on the impact of chronic exposure to urban air pollution on health of residents and adverse effect of
degrading air quality on local climate, vegetation and crops, wildlife, man made structures and personal comfort.
To suggest suitable measure to reduce the magnitude of air pollution and its impact on health.
AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT
Sources responsible for degradation of urban Air quality (Point source and Mobile source)
Exorbitant amount of obnoxious emissions from industries with outdated technology and pollution abatement measures
Burning of fossil fuels
Mining activities, cottage industries like bangle-making and traditional chulhas (which releases RSPM)
Exhausts from petrol and diesel fueled vehicles
Deforestation
Unplanned land policies
Unprecedented construction (Urban heat islands raise demand for electrical energy in the summer, which intensifies
greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution)
Air Quality Assessment
The initiatives undertaken by the MoEF aimed at balancing environment and conservation and development as air pollution
has been a matter of environmental and health concerns, particularly in urban areas. The CPCB along with SPCBs has been
operating National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAQMP) covering 240 cities of the country having more than 342
Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) that provide data on near real-time basis in which
(Quality assurance and Quality control (QA/QC) is an essential part . They provide information on air quality in public
domain that is easily understood by a common person.

A National Air Quality Index (NAQI) 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. The NAQI considers 8 pollutants for which short term
(up to 24 hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NAAQS) are prescribed.
 AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT
AQI Category PM10 PM2.5 NO2 O3 CO SO2 NH3 Pb
(24 hr) (24 hr) (24 hr) (8 hr) (8 hr) (24 hr) (24 hr) (24 hr)
Good (0-50) 0-50 0-30 0-40 0-50 0-0.1 0-40 0-200 0-0.5

Satisfactory (51-100) 51-100 31-60 41-80 51-100 1.1-2.0 41-80 201-400 0.5-1.0

Moderately polluted (101-200) 101-200 61-90 81-180 101-168 2.1-10 81-380 401-800 1.1-2.0

Poor (201-300) 251-350 91-120 181-280 169-208 10-17 381-800 800-1200 2.1-3.0

Very poor (301-400) 351-430 121-250 281-400 209-748 17-34 801-1600 1200-1800 3.1-3.5

Severe (401-500) 430+ 250+ 400+ 748+ 34+ 1600+ 1800+ 3.5+

AQI Associated Health Impacts

Good (0-50)
Satisfactory (51-100)
Moderately polluted
(101-200)
Poor (201-300)
Very Poor (301-400)
Severe (401-500)
SOURCE: Central Pollution Control Board
Minimal impact
May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people
May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma, and discomfort to
people with heart disease, children and older adults.
May cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure, and discomfort to people with
heart disease
May cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. Effect may be more pronounced
in people with lung and heart diseases
May cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious health impacts on people with
lung/heart disease. The health impacts may be experienced even during light physical activity
AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT
National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAQMP)
The objectives of the NAMP are as follows:
To determine status and trends of ambient air quality;
To ascertain whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are violated;
To Identify Non-attainment Cities;
To obtain the knowledge and understanding necessary for developing preventive and corrective measures;
To understand the natural cleansing process in the environment through pollution dilution, dispersion, wind based
movement

SOURCE: Central Pollution Control Board

 AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT
Pollutant Time Concentration in Ambient Air
Weighted Industrial, Ecologically
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Average Residential, Rural Sensitive Area (NAAQS)
and other Areas The objectives of air quality standards are:
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), g/m3 Annual 50 20 To indicate the levels of air quality necessary
24 Hours 80 80
Nitrogendioxide (NO2), g/m3 Annual 40 30
with an adequate margin of safety to protect
24 Hours 80 80 the public health, vegetation and property;
Particulate Matter (Size less than Annual 60 60 To assist in establishing priorities for
10m) or PM10, g/m3 24 Hours 100 100 abatement and control of pollutant level;
Particulate Matter (Size less than Annual 40 40
To provide uniform yardstick for assessing air
2.5m) or PM2.5, g/m3 24 Hours 60 60
Ozone (O3) , g/m3 8 Hours 100 100 quality at national level;
1 Hour 180 180 To indicate the need and extent of monitoring
Lead (Pb) , g/m3 Annual 0.50 0.50 programme.
24 Hours 1.0 1.0
Carbon Monoxide (CO), mg/m3 8 Hours 02 02
1 Hour 04 04
Ammonia (NH3), g/m3 Annual 100 100
24 Hours 400 400
Benzene (C6H6), g/m3 Annual 05 05

Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP) Particulate Annual 01 01
phase only, ng/m3
Arsenic (As), ng/m3 Annual 06 06

Nickel (Ni), ng/m3 Annual 20 20

SOURCE: Central Pollution Control Board
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Exceedence Factor
The air quality has been categorized into four broad categories based on an Exceedence Factor (the ratio of annual mean
concentration of a pollutant with that of a respective standard). The Exceedence Factor (EF) is calculated as follows:
Observed annual mean concentration of criteria pollutant
Exceedence Factor = ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual standard for the respective pollutant and area class
The four air quality categories are:
Critical pollution (C) : when EF is > 1.5; City NO2 SO PM
2 10
High pollution (H) : when the EF is between 1.0 - <1.5; Ann. Avg. AQ Ann. Avg. AQ Ann. Avg. AQ
Moderate pollution (M) : when the EF between 0.5 - <1.0; and Kolkata 11 L 62* C 99* C
Low pollution (L): when the EF is < 0.5.

Pollution level Annual Mean Concentration Range (g/m3)

Industrial, Residential, Rural & others areas Ecologically Sensitive Area
SO2 NO2 PM10 SO2 NO2 PM10
Low (L) 0-25 0-20 0-30 0-10 0-15 0-30
Moderate (M) 26-50 21-40 31-60 11-20 16-30 31-60
High (H) 51-75 41-60 61-90 21-30 31-45 61-90
Critical (C) >75 >60 >90 >30 >45 >90

SOURCE: NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STATUS & TRENDS IN INDIA-2010, CPCB
 AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT
Air Quality Modelling
Air quality models use mathematical and numerical techniques to understand, or predict the way pollutants behave in the
atmosphere. Based on inputs of meteorological data (wind flow pattern, temperature and humidity) and source information
(emission rates and stack height), these models are designed to characterize primary pollutants that are emitted directly into the
atmosphere and, in some cases, secondary pollutants that are formed as a result of complex chemical reactions within the
atmosphere.
identify source contributions to air quality problems
assist in the design of effective strategies to reduce harmful air pollutants
verify that a new source will not exceed ambient air quality standards or, if necessary, determine appropriate additional
control requirements
predict future pollutant concentrations from multiple sources after the implementation of a new regulatory program, in order
to estimate the effectiveness of the program in reducing harmful exposures to humans and the environment

SOURCE: USEPA
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Gaussian Plume Modelling (AERMOD)
It assumes that the air pollutant dispersion has a Gaussian distribution, meaning that the pollutant distribution has a normal
probability distribution. Gaussian models are most often used for predicting the dispersion of continuous, buoyant air pollution
plumes originating from ground-level or elevated sources.
Effect of wind fluctuations / speed on pollutant concentrations
Effect of vertical stability on mixing and concentrations at the ground
The effect of humidity on particulate matter
The effect of aerosol chemistry on particulate matter

International Vehicle Emissions Model

computer model designed to estimate emissions from motor vehicles (local air pollutants, greenhouse gas emissions, and toxic
pollutants).
Specifically designed to have the flexibility needed by developing nations in their efforts to address mobile source air
emissions.
Focus control strategies and transportation planning on those that are most effective;
Predict how different strategies will effect local emissions
Measure progress in reducing emissions over time

SOURCE: USEPA
 AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT
Air quality management study for the Pune was designed :
To estimate the technology distribution of vehicles operating on streets (To determine the fractions of the various vehicle
technology classes operating on city streets, video cameras were set up along the sides of the road and traffic movement taped)
To measure driving patterns for the various classes of vehicles .
To estimate the times and numbers of vehicle engine starts for the various classes of vehicles operating on Pune streets.
The data collected in this study was formatted to allow vehicle emissions estimates using the International Vehicle Emissions
Model

Line Source Dispersion Model (RLINE, CALINE)

Estimating exposure to roadway emissions requires dispersion modeling to capture the temporal and spatial variability of
mobile source pollutants in the near-road environment. The model needs to account for the variability in mobile emissions
across urban and suburban landscapes, while considering factors (depending on pollutant and application scenario) such as
vehicle induced turbulence, roadway configurations , local meteorology, surrounding terrain and buildings, pollutant chemistry,
deposition, and others and simulate mobile source pollutant dispersion to support the assessment of human exposures in near-
roadway environments

SOURCE: USEPA
Gaussian Plume Modelling

Input
Latitude/Longitude
Height of the stack (in meters)
Diameter of the stack (in meters)
Pollution emission rate (grams per second)
Exit velocity of the gas (in meters per second)
Temperature of the exiting gas (in degrees Celsius)
Ambient temperature of the air (in degrees Celsius)
Atmospheric condition (very unstable, moderately unstable, slightly unstable, neutral,
somewhat stable, stable)
Wind velocities (in meters per second)
Cloud cover
Cloud ceiling(feet)
Output
Plume contaminant concentration at a point in space (kmz)
AIR POLLUTION ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Acts
Bengal Smoke Nuisance Act,1905
This Bengal Smoke Nuisance Act was framed in "for the abatement of nuisances, arising from the smoke of furnaces or
fire-places in the towns and suburbs of Kolkata and in Howrah and other areas of Bengal". Its main purpose being to
preserve the dazzling whiteness of the fine huge white-marble structure of Victoria Memorial Hall.

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 & 1987 (amended)
It makes provisions for Central and State Boards to declare pollution control areas, restrictions on operation of certain
industrial units like asbestos and cement without consent of the State Board, authority to limit emission of air pollutants,
inspection, taking samples and analysis, penalties etc.

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

EPA,1986 came into force soon after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Objectives are to enable state to provide the protection and
improvement of environment (article 48A); to make rules and regulations; to notify standards and maximum limits of
pollutants of air, water, and soil for various areas and purposes; prohibition and restriction on the handling of hazardous
substances, and location of industries, to impose penalties.

West Bengal Municipal Act, 1993

Power to abate nuisance caused by pollution of noise, foul odour, visual irritation, sensory annoyance, respiratory infection
and standards may be prescribed.
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Public Liability Insurance Act,

It was
1991enacted by Parliament in the Forty-first Year of the Republic of India. The people who are affected by accidents in
the hazardous installations are, very often, economically weaker sections and suffer great hardships because of delayed
relief and compensation. Thus to ameliorate the sufferings of members of the public due to accidents which take place in
hazardous installations it was found essential to provide for mandatory Public Liability Insurance which provide the
compensation for damages to victims.
This Act has been enacted subsequent to the Bhopal Gas leak disaster. The Factories Act, 1987 and the Hazardous Wastes
(Management and Handling Rules), 1989 also imposed various responsibilities on such industries.
National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995
Provide for strict liability for damages arising out of any accident occurring while handling any hazardous substance and
for the establishment of a National Environment Tribunal for effective and expeditious disposal of cases arising from such
accidents, with a view to giving relief and compensation for damages to persons, property and the environment and for
associated matters.
National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997
Provide for the establishment of a National Environmental Appellate Authority to hear appeals with respect to restriction of
areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out
or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and for associated
matters.

SOURCE: CPCB, 2012

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Green Benches
A green bench is a judicial bench that deals with the disputes related to the protection of environment either on a particular
day of the week or when and where the situation demands immediate action. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are examples of
some states which have constituted Green Benches.. Green benches are constituted by the Chief Justice of the respective
High Courts either on their own or on directions from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
With the assistance of the World Bank, following three environmental projects have been undertaken to strengthen monitoring
and enforcement capability of selected PCBs and to perform specific studies to prevent environmental degradation.
Industrial Pollution Project (IPC)- Signed in 1991 and completed in 1999;
Industrial Pollution Prevention Project (IPP)- Signed in 1994 and its implementation is in progress;
Environmental Management Capacity Building Technical Assistance Project (EMCBTA)- Signed in 1997 and its
implementation is in progress

Source of funds

The Central Pollution Control Board is fully funded by the Central Ministry of Environment & Forests. The State Pollution
Control Boards receive funds from the concerned State Governments and from the Central Ministry of Environment &
Forests through reimbursement of Water Cess (upto 80%) collected by the respective State Boards. In addition, the State
Boards receive fees for processing for applications from the industries for issuing consent in regard to discharge of effluent
and emissions.
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Mitigation strategies
Land use planning
The industrial pollution control programmes which incorporate the concept of sustainable development (Environmental
auditing and submission of the annual environmental statements by the industries, Conducting EIA studies before
establishment of new polluting industries, Eco-labeling of environment friendly products, change over to new
technologies)

The steps taken by the various categories of the industries for reduction in the generation of the pollutants like conversion
of single hood to the double hood system in copper smelters to reduce the fugitive emissions

In the year 2000, WBPCB pioneered in introducing EURO I(India 2000) and EURO II(Bharat Stage II) norms for the
new fleet of vehicles. In association with the State Department of Transport, the Board has facilitated the setting up of
computerized and upgraded Emission Testing Centers (AETCs) and Pollution Under Check (PUC) centers in West
Bengal.
Mass Emission Standards-primary technical policy for controlling emissions from vehicles
Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989-regulation of motor vehicular emissions
Fuel Quality Specifications
Portable Emission Management System (PEMS)

SOURCE: Central Pollution Control Board