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To Set Up Air Quality Monitoring Stations In Adherence With New National Standards
By akansha, Section Environment
In order to abide by the new, more stringent National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to set up air quality monitoring stations that will help measure pollution levels as per the new norms.
Currently, pollutants of the size PM (particulate matter) 10 microgramme per cubic metre are measured. But henceforth, finer particles of the size PM2.5 will be montiored as per the Union ministry of environment and forests' (MoEF) guidelines. Provisions have been made in the 2010-11 municipal budget to purchase the more sophisticated instruments that will help measure PM2.5 pollutants. The MoEF, in November 2009, notified the new and tougher air quality norms under which residential and industrial areas will have the same standards. Speaking to TOI, head of the civic environment cell Mangesh Dighe said that sophisticated equipment will be needed to measure the PM2.5 pollutants, which is not being done at many places in the country. Currently, the pollution levels are monitored by the PMC in Navi Peth and by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) at three locations in the city Swargate, Nal Stop and Karve road. Source: Times Of India By Snehal Sonawane Sawant PMC to monitor pollution closely Click On "Full Story" For More....
"We have plans to monitor air quality at more sites, the location of which is not fixed as yet. This will include commissioning at least three instruments to measure pollutants as per the new norms. These are more sophisticated equipments, as particles measuring PM2.5 are much finer particles that those measuring PM10. The instruments will be commissioned during the year," Dighe said.
However, experts feel there is need for even more ambient air quality monitoring (AAQM) stations, since the city is fast expanding and in order to portray the correct picture of the pollution levels. Recently, a review meeting was held by the MPCB on the implementation of the Action Plan for the Control of Air Pollution in the city. Prof emeritus Alka Gadgil of the University of Pune's department of environmental science had then suggested that more AAQM stations should be commissioned in the city.
"Currently, there are three AAQMs in the city, but the city is fast expanding and there is a dire need for more stations in different areas. The readings depend on the type of area and do not reflect the true picture of the city's air pollution levels. For instance, there is no station at Hadapsar or Ahmednagar road. The overall picture of the city should be understood," Gadgil said.
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