Trends and Management of Air Pollution: Assessment of Major Cities in India

Abstract

Air pollution has emerged as one of the leading risk factors contributing to national burden of disease in India. This study examined the trends of air pollution in India over the period from 1995-2008. The analysis revealed a wide variation in the time series of annual measurements of SO_x, NO_x, SPM and RSPM at various cities in India. The mean of Annual average concentration of  sulphur di oxide was found to be higher for Bangalore and Kolkata(19.5, 19.7µg/m³).The oxides of nitrogen were found to be higher for  Kolkata and Delhi(48.80µg/m³,40.86µg/m³ ).The levels of RSPM was found to be significantly higher for Ahmadabad ,Delhi and Kolkata(165,163,126µg/m³).Similarly the levels of SPM  was found to be higher for Delhi and Kolkata(385, 301µg/m³). The other important point in SO₂ levels is decreasing at all cities, which is largely attributed to sulphur reduction in diesel. The variation in annual average concentrations during different years may be due to multiple factors including meteorology, neighbourhood activity pattern or levels during monitoring period etc.

Keywords: national burden, RSPM, air quality standard, sulphur reduction.average concentration