Ambient Air Quality monitoring or Testing is a process of measurement of pollutants present in atmosphere. It measures healthiness and safety of our environment.
What is ambient air quality?
Ambient air quality is defined as the quality of air outside and sometimes inside. Ambient air quality standards are limits to concentrations of pollutants in air stated for well being of human, nature, animals, etc. There is no specified definition of standards but various organizations but they are not often similar. Ambient air quality monitoring is also called as Outdoor Air Quality Testing.
What is Air Quality Monitoring?
Air quality monitoring is the process of assessment of pollutants present in atmosphere by their quantity and types as per air quality standards. Air quality monitoring helps us to take action based on pollutants present in atmosphere to improve air quality
Why Ambient Air Quality Monitoring or Testing Required?
Air Pollution is the introduction of Chemicals, Particulates or other Harmful materials into atmosphere causes/damage to living organism/Built Organism. Air pollutants are added in the atmo
sphere from variety of sources that change the composition of atmosphere and affect the biotic environment. The concentration of air pollutants depend not only on the quantities that are emitted from air pollution sources but also on the ability of the atmosphere to either absorb or disperse these emissions. The sources of air pollutants include vehicles, industries, domestic sources and natural sources. Because of the presence of high amount of air pollutants in the ambient air, the health of the population an
property is getting adversely affected. In order to arrest the deterioration in air quality, Govt. of India has enacted Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act in 1981. The responsibility has been further emphasized under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Therefore, Central Pollution Control Board had started National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM) Network during 1984 – 85 at national level. The program was later renamed as National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP).
Ambient Air Quality Monitoring & Testing
Ambient air quality monitoring & testing is required to determine the existing quality of air, evaluation of the effectiveness of control program. National Air Quality Monitoring Program is described in this chapter along with details on pollutants measured and their frequency. Guidelines for monitoring are made for carrying out AAQM under NAMP and description of the program is essential as the monitoring is carried out to meet the objectives of NAMP.
Various Equipment are used to find amount of Air pollution done by particular source called ‘’Air Monitoring Equipment.’’ Evaluation of Ambient Air for determination of community air Quality as related to local health, Social & Environmental Effects. Determination of suspended particulate matter as small as one micron size & any four gaseous contaminants at a time.
Ambient Air quality Monitoring or Testing Parameters
Under N.A.M.P., 12 air pollutants viz., Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen as NO2 and Particulate Matter (PM10) and Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Ozone (O3), Lead (Pb), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ammonia (Nh3), Benzene (C6H6), Benzo-Pyrene (BaP), Arsenic (As), Nikhel (Ni) have been identified for regular monitoring at required the locations/ Industrial unit.
Among all these parameters Particulate matter is the most important pollutant present in the atmosphere. It is also called as Particulate matter Monitoring or Dust Monitoring.
As per CPCB Notification under National ambient air quality monitoring standards (NAAQS). These Results can be converted into Non Technical way so that everybody can understand the level of pollution. it is called as Air Quality Index (AQI).
Ambient Air Quality Monitoring or Testing Standards
Below mentioned are National Ambient or Outdoor air quality standards (NAAQS Standards) which are used in ambient air monitoring.
| Parameters | Unit | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) | mg/M3 | ≤ 80 |
| Oxides of Nitrogen | mg/M3 | ≤ 80 |
| Particulate Matter PM10 | mg/M3 | ≤ 100 |
| Particulate Matter PM2.5 | mg/M3 | ≤ 60 |
| Ozone (O3) | mg/M3 | ≤ 180 |
| Lead (Pb) | mg/M3 | ≤ 1.0 |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | mg/M3 | ≤ 04 |
| Ammonia (NH3) | mg/M3 | ≤ 400 |
| Benzene (C6H6) | mg/M3 | ≤ 05 |
| Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP) | mg/M3 | ≤ 01 |
| Arsenic (As) | mg/M3 | ≤ 06 |
| Nickel (Ni) | mg/M3 | ≤ 20 |
Ambient Air Quality testing & Monitoring Procedure – Duration and Frequency
The period and frequency of ambient or outdoor air quality sampling procedure should be such that statistically reliable averages can be obtained with the data i.e. 8 Hrs or 24 Hrs. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) states that it should be 8 Hrs monitoring or 24 Hrs as per requirement. Particulate matter levels are lower during the monsoon months due to removal by wet deposition. Air pollutants such as CO levels are higher during winter months due to lower mixing heights resulting in less volume of troposphere available for mixing and hence higher concentrations. Thus measurements should be conducted in all the seasons so that in annual average all the seasons are represented equally. In general minimum 20% of the reading should be taken in each season.
Ambient air quality monitoring & Testing by Perfect Pollucon Services
Ambient air quality monitoring is required to determine existing quality of air and evaluation of control program.
Under national ambient monitoring program parameters like Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), NOx
Ambient Air Quality Monitoring & Testing Equipment
High Volume Air Sampler
High Volume Air Sampler consist of filter holding assembly, High capacity blower, U-tube Manometer, Rotameter, impingers housed in detachable fibre case, inlet filters, voltage stabilizer & Timer.
Continuous Air Quality monitoring station
Continuous air quality monitoring station constantly samples and test ambient air and provide instant reading to the nearest monitoring center. Recently Indian government has installed more than 50 continuous air quality monitoring stations in India in Metro cities.
Particulate Matter Calculator
Please find below calculator to calculate suspended Particulate matter from high volume sampler method:
[CP_CALCULATED_FIELDS id=”6″]
Ambient Air Monitoring & Testing Services Company
We offer Ambient air monitoring & Testing Services in India. Our Company is completely adept in offering customized ambient air monitoring services as per clients requirements. Our highly qualified and experienced professionals are capable in monitoring air for toxin level, pollution degree etc.
Our special features are:
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Also we have periodically calibrated instruments as per Pollution control board guidelines. As Environmental Consultants We offer services in Soil Analysis, Water Analysis, Environmental Monitoring, Air Quality monitoring, Ambient Noise level Monitoring and Stack Emission Monitoring.
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Also read More What is Air Quality monitoring?