General information

How Do We Define the Air Pollution ?

Sources of Pollution
Health Effects
Primary and Secondary Pollutants
Objective of Air Monitoring

Guidelines for carrying out Ambient Air Quality

Monitoring developed by CPCB
 How Do We Define the Air Pollution ?

The presence in outdoor atmosphere, of one or more

contaminants such as fumes, dust, gases, mist, grit, odor,
smoke, smog or vapors in considerable quantities and of
duration which is injurious to human, animal or plant life of
which unreasonably interferes with comfortable
enjoyment of life and property.”
 Sources of Pollution

Natural Sources Anthropogenic

Volcanic Eruptions Sources
Forest Fires Increase in Population
Natural Decays Vehicular Pollution
Marsh Gases Deforestation
Cosmic Dusts Burning of Fossil Fuels
Soil Debris Rapid Industrialization
Pollen Grains Agricultural Activities
Fungal Spores Wars
 Health Effects
Pollutants Health Effects
SPM & RSPM Respiratory diseases, reduce visibility
SO2 Irritation of eyes, respiratory system, increased
mucus production, cough and shortness of breath.
NOX Irritation of pulmonary tract affecting functioning of
lungs.
CO Reduction in oxygen-carrying capacity of blood,
prone to cardiovascular diseases
Hydrocarbons Lung cancer, irritation of mucus membrane.
Pb Cumulative poison, impairment of central nervous
system, disruption of pathways of haem
synthesis,increase in d-aminolevulinic acid
dehydratase activity in red cells/or elevated levels
of erythrocyte protoporphyrin
Benzene Leukaemia, Chromosomal damage
 Health Effects
Pollutants Health Effects
Ammonia Eye, Nose, Throat irritation, Dyspnea,
Bronchospasm, Chest Pain, Pulmonary edema,
Pink frothy sputum,Skin burns, vesiculation
Nickel Head verti, nausea, vomit, epigastric, substernal
pain, cough, hypernea
Arsenic Ulceration of nasal septum, gastrointestinal
disturbances, hyperpigmentation of skin
Benjo(a)Pyrene Carcinogenic
Penetration of RSPM in Respiratory System
 Primary and Secondary Pollutants

 Primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from

a source.
 Secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but
forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in
the atmosphere.
Examples of a secondary pollutant include ozone, which
is formed when hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides
(NOx) combine in the presence of sunlight; NO2, which is
formed as NO combines with oxygen in the air; and acid
rain, which is formed when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen
oxides react with water.
 Objective of Air Monitoring

 To assess health hazards and potential damage to

property;

 To determine the background pollution level for

application in industrial zoning, town planning or
location of sites for certain types of industries requiring
stringent air quality criteria;

 To determine the degree of air pollution control

required for existing industries;

 To identify industrial and other source of pollution;

Conti…….
 To collect data for formulating and testing air pollution models;
 To identify and control pollution from vehicular emission;
 To monitor the criteria pollutants depending on the locations;
 To determine present air quality status and trend;
 To control and regulate pollution from industries and other sources to meet the air
quality standards.
 Guidelines for carrying out Ambient Air Quality Monitoring developed by CPCB

 Site selection criteria;

 Quality assurance and quality control in air quality monitoring;

 Type of pollutants to be monitored in a city;

 Frequency and duration of monitoring;

 Data reporting and compilation procedures;
 Measurement methods of various air pollutants etc.
 Site Selection Criteria

 The site should be representative of the location

being assessed. It should not be unduly influenced by
immediate surroundings unless those influences are
specifically being measured, for example, near a busy
road, a factory stack or a dusty quarry.

 The site should not be subject to flooding, and the

site classification or situation should not change over
time.