Assessment of Ambient Air Quality in Coimbatore City

Abstract

Man is making rapid strides in science and technology. His eagerness to increase his comfort by utilizing the natural resources lead to rapid industrialization and abnormal urbanization which consequently witness excessive air pollution. There are lots of such polluted areas in India and Coimbatore comes into prominence. The Coimbatore city due to its rapid industrial development is experiencing an exponential growth in the vehicular usage and fuel consumption, which increases the air pollution. On the other hand the existing weather pattern of the city is not favorable for the dispersion of air pollutants. An inventory of air contaminants is the first step towards the control of air pollution. The purpose is to study the present air quality status of Coimbatore city and to compare the measured values with the recommended threshold limit values and to determine the air quality index. The study has been carried out in 3 zones viz residential commercial& industrial zone. The major air pollutants selected for analysis are SPM, SO₂, and NO_X. Air quality monitoring has been conducted using a Respirable Dust sampler and analysis was made by means of BIS methods.

Keywords: Bureau of Indian standards, Suspended particulate matter, respirable suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, respirable dust sampler.