A Review of Ambient Air Quality in India

Air pollution is a serious problem all over the world which causes terrific loss to human health and other living being. Sulphur Dioxide(SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide(NO2), Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10), Ozone(O3), Lead (Pb), Carbon Monoxide(CO), Benzene(C6H6) and Nickel(Ni) are some of the parameters which have significant impact on environmental pollution. Purpose of this paper is to review the literature relating to the monitoring of ambient air pollution in India and compare the same with Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards-2009 (Indian NAAQS-2009). Air is mainly composed of Nitrogen and Oxygen (99% by volume) and other gases including water vapor contribute to about 1%. (Figure 1.1). Rapid urbanization and industrialization has added other elements/compounds to the pure air and thus caused the increase in pollution. In order to prevent, control and abate air pollution, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1981. According to Section 2(b) of Air (Prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981 ‘air pollution’ has been defined as ‘the presence in the atmosphere of any air pollutant.’ As per Section 2(a) of Air (Prevention and control of pollution) \ Act, 1981 ‘air pollutant’ has been defined as ‘any solid, liquid or gaseous substance [(including noise)] present in the atmosphere in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to human beings or other living creatures or plants or property or environment’. Therefore ambient air quality standard is developed as a policy guideline that regulates the effect of human activity upon the environment so that pollutant emission into the air can be regulated.