Under N.A.M.P., four air pollutants viz., Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂), Oxides of Nitrogen as NO₂ and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM/PM₁₀), have been identified for regular monitoring at all the locations. Besides this, additional parameters such as Respirable Lead and other toxic trace metals, Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S), Ammonia (NH₃) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are also being monitored at selected locations. The monitoring of meteorological parameters such as wind speed and direction, relative humidity and temperature was also integrated with the monitoring of air quality. . The monitoring of pollutants is carried out for 24 hours (4-hourly sampling for gaseous pollutants and 8-hourly sampling for particulate matter) with a frequency of twice a week, to have 104 observations in a year. The monitoring is being carried out with the help of Central Pollution Control Board: ; State Pollution Control Boards :Pollution Control Committees:National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur: and other research institutions/universities etc. CPCB co-ordinates with these agencies to ensure the uniformity and consistency of air quality data and provides technical and financial support to them for operating the monitoring stations.

• Annual average concentrations of RSPM and SPM exceeded the NAAQS in most of the cities. The trend in annual average concentration of RSPM is fluctuating in most of the cities.

• One of the major source of high RSPM levels is vehicles. The vehicle population is increasing exponentially in many cities. This is the single major factor responsible for high RSPM levels.

• The sources of SPM include, vehicles, natural dust, industries such as thermal power plants, sugar, cement etc., resuspension of dust, refuse burning etc.

• The reason for high particulate matter levels may be vehicles, engine gensets, small scale industries, biomass incineration, boilers and emission from power plants, resuspension of traffic dust, commercial and domestic use of fuels, etc.

• Lower levels of RSPM and SPM were observed during monsoon months possibly due to wet deposition. Higher levels of RSPM and SPM were observed during winter months possibly due to lower mixing heights and more calm conditions.

• One of the reason for low levels of pollution in coastal cities like Chennai is that it has excellent ventilation effects due to sea and land breezes which reduces pollution levels.

CPCB has identified list of polluted cities in which the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are violated. These cities have been identified based on ambient air quality data obtained under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) for the period 1995 to 2003. The list of non-attainment cities state-wise is enclosed. Action plans are being formulated and implemented to control air pollution in non-attainment cities by respective states.

Monitoring stations were sanctioned in cities like Khajuraho, Gwalior, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Asansol, Ranchi etc. State Pollution Control Boards were asked to monitor additional pollutants like carbon monoxide etc. near traffic intersections. Non-operational stations were made operational. Monitoring through automatic continuous analysers is also being initiated in many cities.

The Central Pollution Control Board has been monitoring ambient air quality at seven locations in Delhi for the past several years. The locations have been categorized on land use, i.e., residential, industrial and traffic intersection.

With the reduction of sulphur content in diesel, the sulphur dioxide concentrations have shown a declining trend at most of the locations in Delhi. Sulphur dioxide in residential areas during 2004 has shown no change with respect to 2003 (10 µg/m³), the change observed at BSZ Marg traffic intersection was also found to be insignificant.

Nitrogen dioxide is the only parameter which shows an upward trend since 2001. During 2004, it increased in residential area (40 µg/m³) and industrial area (42 µg/m³) by 5 and 17 percent respectively, while in traffic intersection (89 µg/m³) it decreased by 5 percent in comparison to 2003.

Annual average SPM concentration during 2004 registered a decrease of approximately 4 and 2 percent respectively in industrial areas (339 µg/m³) and traffic intersection (500 µg/m³). SPM concentration at residential areas (330 µg/m³) registered an increase of 5 percent.

RSPM recorded 135 µg/m³ in industrial areas and 228 µg/m³ in traffic intersection during 2004. These are 4 and 7 percent respectively lower than the values recorded in 2003. RSPM at residential areas (131 µg/m³) registered an increasing trend of only 3 percent.

CO levels measured at BSZ traffic intersection during 2004 was found to be 2581 µg/m³ as against 2831 µg/m³ recorded in 2003, thus indicating a decline of 9 percent.

Ambient Air Quality Trends in Delhi

The ambient air quality monitoring have been conducted at 10 (Ten) sites i.e. Red Fort, Pusa Road, Lawrence Road, Badli, Jhilmil, Windsor Place, Connaught Place S.P. Marg, Mathura Road and Safdarjung using ambient air quality monitoring van during May to July 2004. Results obtained from the monitoring are depicted below:

Ambient air quality is being measured during Deepawali days for the past several years. During Deepawali days, the air quality deteriorates alarmingly due to the bursting of crackers. In order of assess the air pollution caused due to bursting of crackers, ambient air quality was measured at selected locations in Delhi during 2004 also. The observations are as follows:

• Except for sulphur dioxide, the levels of all other pollutants at almost all the locations exceeded the air quality standards.
• RSPM and SPM levels during 2004 at all locations were found to be higher than that recorded during 2003.
• Gaseous pollutants namely Nitrogen dioxide and Sulphur dioxide recorded mixed trend in 2004 as compared to 2003. Four locations out of eight monitored in 2004 recorded higher concentration as compared to 2003.

Ambient noise level monitoring was carried out at various locations in Delhi, i.e. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Lajpat Nagar, New Friends Colony, East Arjun Nagar, Connaught Place, India Gate, Mayur Vihar Phase – II, Raja Garden, Pitam Pura, Model Town, Patel Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Dilshad Garden and ITO on the occasion of Deepawali festival. At Kamla Nagar, Patel Nagar and Dilshad Garden noise monitoring were conducted from 18.00 hrs. to 23.00 hrs. (long duration) while at other locations short duration (half hourly noise level monitoring were conducted between 18.00 hrs. & 23.00 hrs. This year, three new locations, i.e. Raja Garden, Model Town and Pitam Pura were selected for short duration monitoring. Normal day noise monitoring was conducted on November 5, 2004. The findings are as follows:

• Noise level on Deepawali day, 2004 decreased at six locations whereas it slightly increased at four locations and remained same at one location as compared to the Deepawali day, 2003 (Three locations, being new could not be compared.

• The Ambient noise level has increased on Deepawali day as compared to the normal day, i.e. November 5, 2004 at all the locations.
• The average ambient noise levels on normal day were ranging from 52 to 78 Leq dB(A) and 64 to 88 Leq dB(A) on Deepawali day.
• Average noise values on Deepawali were ranging from 64 to 88 Leq dB(A) against last year’s average values of 69 to 90 Leq dB(A).
• Highest average value for noise level was observed at Model Town.

In order to assess the pollution generated by fire crackers, monitoring of Particulate Matter (PM₁₀), SO₂ and NO₂ was conducted during Deepawali week (Deepawali on 12^th ) in year 2004 at Vikas Nagar, a typical residential colony of Kanpur. This study reflects the clear impact on air quality.

Rise in RSPM and NO₂ concentrations was observed during Deepawali . RSPM was increased two times to that of normal 8hours average values.

Noise Monitoring was conducted at Gomti Nagar (R), Indira Nagar (R), Aliganj (C), Vikas Nagar (R). Noise levels are depicted below:

BSOF is being sporadically measured in RSPM at BSZ Marg Traffic Intersection Delhi since 2001. Benzene Soluble Organic Fraction (BSOF) mainly comprises of hundreds of particulate bound organic compounds present in ambient air. Some of the important BSOF compounds include Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Dioxins and Furans, Oxidized Hydrocarbons (aldehydes, ketones, oxyacids etc.). Measurement of BSOF gives an idea about the anthropogenic emissions originating from the combustion of fossil fuels. The concentration of BSOF in PM₁₀ ranged between 16 – 70 µg/m³. Preliminary results indicate that BSOF during the winter months were higher ranging from 34 – 70 µg/m³, while the lowest values (16 µg/m³) were observed in monsoon period. The percent BSOF in PM₁₀ ranged between 4 and 25. The highest percentage was observed in July 2003 when average RSPM was found to be only 67 µg/m³ (perhaps due to wash out factor) but the BSOF even at such low levels of RSPM was found to be highest (25%) in comparison to other months.

Central Pollution Control Board is monitoring benzene in Delhi using diffusive samplers (passive sampling method) at seven locations namely Ashok Vihar, I.T.O, J.N.U., Moti Nagar, East Arjun Nagar, Siri Fort, and Town Hall. Benzene is one of the volatile organic compounds (VOC). Benzene comes under aromatic category of volatile organic compounds. Benzene is a harmful pollutant causing exposure-related health affects in human beings. It is mainly released from anthropogenic activities such as transportation (from vehicle exhaust, filling and evaporative losses), industrial processes, combustion etc.

The maximum concentration of benzene was observed in winter season at all the location in comparison to summer and monsoon and ranged between 8 µg/m³ (J.N.U) to 18 µg/m³ (I.T.O). The benzene levels in summer season ranged between 5 µg/m³ (J.N.U) to 11 µg/m³ (I.T.O). Minimum concentration of benzene was observed during monsoon season at all the location and ranged between 4 µg/m³ (J.N.U) to 10 µg/m³ (I.T.O).

Samples were collected at selected locations near ITO Bride for shorter period (two-three hours) using low flow pump at different time intervals including peak and lean traffic periods. The exercise was repeated thrice during March & June 2004. BTX samples collected were analysed using Automated Thermal Desorption - Gas Chromatography (ATD-GC). The observations are as follows:

Traffic intersection (ITO) recorded short-term highest Benzene level (18.5 to 59.0 µg/m³) during peak hours i.e. morning & evening due to high-traffic density as compared to lean period on the same day (9.0 to 19.0 µg/m³).

Benzene levels ( 7.0- 10.0 µg/m³) monitored at two CNG filling stations at CBD Complex , East Arjun Nagar, Shahdra and Inder Prastha, Ring Road were recorded low as compared to traffic intersection and petrol pumps.

Central Pollution Control Board is regularly monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in the ambient air at Sirifort using continuous Analyzer. The surrounding area of the monitoring station is flat plateau with dense residential localities, commercial establishments and a famous sports complex. There is no major immediate source of air pollution in the vicinity of Sirifort monitoring station. However, there may be some impact of vehicles plying on a busy road at a distance of approximate 100 meters from the station.

The monthly mean concentration observed was found to be in the range of 3.9 µg/m³ to 18.4 µg/m³ and 7.7 ug/m³ to 47.3 ug/m³ of Benzene and Toluene respectively. The maximum mean concentration of Benzene (18.4 µg/m³) and Toluene (47.3 µg/m³) observed in the month of November and the minimum value 3.9 µg/m³ and 7.7 ug/m³ in month of March. High levels in November may be attributed to the low inversion conditions in winter month.

Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons are one of the EPAs seven specific categories of air toxics. These pollutants pose serious health hazards in urban areas because of multiple sources especially vehicular traffic, thermal power plants, and industrial & domestic fuel burning. Central Pollution control Board has started particulate PAH measurement. The samples are collected at six NAAQM (TSPM laden PAH) locations and one integrated monitoring station at ITO (TSPM and RSPM laden PAH). 15 important PAH compound such as major PAH Napthalene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Chrysene, Benzo (a) anthracene, Benzo (b) fluoranthene, Benzo (k) fluoranthene, Benzo (a) pyrene, Benzo (ghi) perylene, Dibenzo(ah) anthracene, Indeno (cd) pyrene, Coronene are analysed after extraction in toluene and using GC-FID . The results of total PAHs levels measured at selected NAMP stations & at ITO are shown in following figures.

The ambient Noise monitoring have been conducted at 10 (Ten) sites i.e. Redfort, Pusa Road, Lawrence Road, Badli, Jhilmil, Windsor Place, Connaught Place S.P. Marg, Mathura Road, Safdarjung using ambient air quality monitoring van during May to July 2004. Results obtained from the monitoring are depicted in the table below:

The BTX profile of fugitive emissions and ambient air at Mathura Refinery using ATD-GC-FID techniques is presented in following table.

(Monitored during September, 2004)

Monitoring for Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, m+p Xylene and O-Xylene was done using online BTX analyzer at Sharda Nagar, Kanpur to find daily variation and long term trends.

The daily average values for these parameters are arranged in the table below.

Hourly distribution for a day, in February-2004 is depicted below:

A Sodar System is continuously working at Parivesh Bhawan. As observed by the system in the beginning of the year the period of free convection in the atmosphere was mainly from 11.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m..In summer months period of free convection was mainly from 08.00 a.m. or 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. or 07.00 p.m.. In monsoon season period of free convection was mainly from 07.00 a.m. or 08.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. or 07.00 p.m.. In post monsoon season the period of free convection was mainly from 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.. In winter period the period of free convection was mainly from 11.00 a. m. to 05.00 p. m.

Regular monitoring of SO₂, NO_x and RSPM is being conducted round the clock on all working days in Kanpur at Vikas Nagar. The data is being disseminated on web site of CPCB. Monthly average of RSPM and NO_x for year 2004 are given below:

Studies carried out at Kanpur indicates that

• Values of RSPM range from 72 µg/m³ to 344 µg/m³ on monthly basis.
• RSPM concentration was observed high during summer months. During monsoon comparatively lower values were observed. This may be due to wash out of pollutants during rain
• RSPM concentration was observed very high as compared to prescribed standards ie.100 µg/m³ (24 hr average) throughout the year except during monsoon months.
• NO₂ concentration ranges from 12 µg/m³ to 34 µg/m³, which is much lower than standards i.e. 80 µg/m³ (24 hr basis)
• SO₂ was observed very low, all over the year and has not at all any concern.
• It is observed that the values of RSPM show an increasing trend over the years barring winter of 2001, when RSPM had gone higher due to exceptionally prolonged and acute winter. All the values are higher than the prescribed standard.
• Reason for higher RSPM in Kanpur may be attributed to Vehicular pollution, bad road conditions, burning of garbage and suspension of natural dust due to dry weather and high wind velocity. Apart from these, during power cuts indiscriminate use of generators also contribute a lot to air pollution in local areas.

In all major North Indian cities, RSPM concentrations are very high. The source apportionment study is needed to plan for effective mitigation strategy. Taking first step in this direction, CPCB Zonal office, North took up Characterization of RSPM to identify the constitution of dust contributing to it. Accordingly characterization of RSPM. - Benzene Soluble Organic Fractions, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons and Anion parameters, were taken up. Analyses of Benzene Soluble Organic Fractions and Anions have started while PAH analysis is under process.

The Filter Papers obtained during the monitoring at Vikas Nagar, Kanpur are used for the analysis of Benzene Soluble Organic Fractions in RSPM. Organic part of the total RSPM is analyzed from March 2003 to December 2003 with the help of IIT, Kanpur and thereafter developing expertise, analysis was done at CPCB, Zonal Lab, Lucknow from January to March’2004.

Benzene has been widely used as the solvent and aerosol organics concentrations, expressed as Benzene Soluble Organic Fraction (BSOF). BSOF levels were high in summer and winter – highest being in summer (61 µg/m³),which was against the expectation of its being higher in winter, as temperature is low and volatile organic compounds will be mostly in particulate form. It appears that there would have been some local source of VOC in the vicinity of sampling site. Percentage of BSOF typically stayed around 8-9 percent. As expected, during monsoon time both PM₁₀ and BSOF levels came down considerably due to wash out of pollutants.

It is found that PM₁₀ and BSOF correlate very well (R² = 0.97) shown in figure below. Typical range of organic content in PM_2.5 is 30-60 percent (USEPA, 1995) and correspondingly this can be 15-30 percent in PM₁₀. Since BSOF will not represent all organic compounds, therefore a value of 10 percent BSOF in PM₁₀ appears reasonable.

• The contribution of organic substances of RSPM ranges from 3% to 22% during winter month. This is contributed by various anthropogenic activities like combustion.
• Inorganic component dominates the RSPM indicating that natural sources are also area for concern.
• The fraction of organic component is obtained from the burning of fuel.

GF/A Filter Papers obtained during the monitoring at Gol Chouraha, Ghantaghar, Civil Lines and Ramadevi, Kanpur (sampling period April’2001-March’2002) were used for the analysis of anions. Anions have been analyzed using Ion Chromatograph, at IIT, Kanpur. Mainly Chloride, Nitrate, Fluoride and Sulphate ions were found at all the four locations.

Among all four anions, sulphate and chloride anion were found higher at all four locations. The important reaction of SO₂ in the atmosphere is its oxidation to SO₃, which with water gives sulfuric acid. The acid or sulphates occur as aerosols. At Civil Lines Sulphate concentration ranges from 4-35 µg/m³, at Ghantaghar ranges from 4-43 µg/m³, at Gol chouraha ranges from 3-33 µg/m³ and at Ramadevi it ranges from 4-31 µg/m³. At some points NO₃ concentration was found little higher. Fluoride ion concentration was found very less at all the locations.

Ambient air quality monitoring for 24 hours was conducted at Vikas Nagar a typical residential area of Lucknow for two consecutive days during Deepawali and one day background study (on 3^rd December) for PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO₂. Results of monitoring are shown as below:

Objective of the Study were

• To map the city in respect of Noise Levels.
• To find the extent of violation of Ambient Noise Standards.
• To identify the significant contributors to Ambient Noise Level.

The results of the Noise levels (Leq values expressed in dB (A) ) at 12 locations are presented in tables below:

1. Chain Rai District Women Hospital situated in the heart of the city should be shifted to some suitable location.
2. Use of loud speakers at Har Ki Paudi should be minimized.
3. Systematization of commercial activities can be done. For example loading and unloading of goods may be avoided during night hours near Har Ki Paudi and Shiv Chowk.
4. Low noise small commercial vehicles should be allowed to ply.

Noise measurement study was conducted on 24^th, 25^th,and 27^th November’2004 at Red Stone area, Four Minars of Taj and on the main monument to assess the increment in the noise level due to Taj Night Viewing opening on its 350^th Anniversary. Monitoring results are depicted below :