National Air Quality Index: Environment
Introduction
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to assess the state of the air in a particular area. The Air Quality Index, which has a framework of "One Number - One Colour - One Description," was established in 2014 to make it easier for the average individual to evaluate the quality of the air in his immediate vicinity. IIT-Kanpur and other subject matter specialists helped the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) design it.
How Severe Is Air Pollution In India?
• The WHO report: The WHO claims that India's air pollution, which is among the worst in the world, reduces the lifespan of the majority of Indians by more than three years
• More than half of India's population, or 660 million people, live in areas with fine particulate matter pollution that is above the country's permissible standards, according to the Economic & Political Weekly.
• Decline in Life Expectancy: Thirteen of the world's top 20 most polluted cities are located in India. Due to air pollution, the 660 million Indians who reside in cities have a 3.2-year shorter life expectancy.
• Addressing Environmental Issues And Poor Air Quality: In a 2014 global evaluation of how nations approach environmental issues, India came in at position 155 out of 177 countries, and its air quality is among the worst in the world.
• In comparison to the BRICS Nations: India's environmental health significantly lags behind that of the BRICS nations. Environmental Performance Index Report: According to the Environmental Performance Index 2014, India is ranked as the "worst performer" on a number of metrics, including environmental health impact, air quality, water quality, and sanitation.
• The Ganga and Yamuna are two of the 10 most contaminated rivers in the world, according to the list.
• Concretization in Green Belts: Despite the National Green Tribunal's directives, civic organizations continue to permit concretization in green belts.
• Real estate: The need for housing is rising, and the real estate market is flourishing, which is changing how land is used and driving the disappearance of natural conservation areas such forests, water bodies, wastelands, sanctuaries, and groundwater recharging sites.
• Due to the senseless concretization of the planet, the loss of open space, and the growth in real estate, concrete surfaces emit shortwave radiation at night.
National AQI - Historical
• As a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the National Air Quality Index was launched in New Delhi in September 2014 and tracks the air quality index for India.
• The responsibility for educating the public about health dangers and ways to avoid them falls on governmental organizations.
• An expert group made up of SPCBs, academics, doctors, and air quality specialists has been constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• Additionally, a technical study was submitted to IIT Kanpur. In 2014, an AQI programme was recommended for India by IIT Kanpur and the expert group.
• In six Indian cities—Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune—a real-time data tracking system for continuous monitoring is in place.
National AQI - Covered Pollutants
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the following eight important air contaminants in the atmosphere:
1. PM10, or particulate matter.
2. PM2.5, or particulate matter.
3. Oxygen Monoxide (NO2).
4. Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
5. CO, or carbon monoxide.
6. Oxygen (O3).
7. (NH3) ammonia.
8. (Pb) lead.
Scores For The National AQI
Six AQI categories make up the National Air Quality Index: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
Each category in the table below is connected to particular health effects.
|
Air Quality Index |
|
Score |
|
Health Impacts |
|
0-50 |
|
Good/ Safe |
|
|
|
51-100 |
|
Satisfactory |
|
|
|
100-200 |
|
Moderately Polluted |
|
|
|
201-300 |
|
Poor |
|
|
|
301-400 |
|
Very Poor |
|
|
|
401-500 |
|
Severe |
|
|
PM: Particulate Matter A Serious Pollutant
• The two most common air quality measurements are PM 2.5 and PM 10.
• These particles are measured in micrograms per cubic meter. PM 2.5 and PM 10 are the terms used to describe micro particles with diameters of less than 2.5 microns and 10 microns, respectively.
• The same metrics are used by nations all around the world to evaluate the quality of the air.
• India also measures pollution from lead and ammonia. An AQI reading of 50 or less is considered safe.
How Does The Pm Enter The Atmosphere?
• Droplets of both solid and liquid debris are referred to as "particulate matter" (PM) and are present in the air.
• Dust, smoke, and soot are examples of particulate matter that may be seen with the unaided eye. However, other particulate matter is too small to be seen without an electron microscope.
• PM can be found in many different settings, such as fields, fires, building sites, and unpaved roads.
• Most of the particles are the result of complex chemical processes involving nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.
• These are the pollutants that are produced by items like factories, autos, and power plants.
• Sea salt, dust (also known as crustal debris), secondary sulphate, pollen, black carbon from wildfires, and volcanic ash are a few examples of natural sources of PM.
Calculation Of The National AQI
• The AQI is calculated using the average air pollutant concentration during a specific time period as determined by an air monitor or model.
• The AQI increases when there is a greater release of air pollution into the sky, such as during a forest fire or times of high traffic.
• Anticyclones and temperature inversions also result in stagnant air, which raises the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere.
• The chemical reactions between air contaminants and overcast conditions cause the AQI to increase.
Utilized Instrument: National AQI
The following are the tools that are used to measure the Air Quality Index:
• PCE-RCM 05
• PCE-HFX 100
• PCE-RCM 8
What Exactly Are The Naaqs (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)?
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which are standardized air quality standards for the entire country, have been created by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• In 2019, the NCAP was deployed across India with the aim of reducing particulate matter levels in 132 cities by 20-30% in 2024.
• A city is considered to be out of compliance if it continually fails to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) over a five-year period.
• Standards must accurately reflect the most recent state of scientific knowledge.
• Industrial areas used to be subject to less stringent rules than residential areas.
Limitations Of The National Air Quality Index
• Not for Statutory Purposes: Because real-time AQI data is fed directly from analyzers without being reviewed, it might not be for statutory purposes.
• Technical Difficulty: Monitoring and disseminating the AQI involves a number of steps, including the use of sensors and analyzers, their calibration, data collection at a local server, transmission to a central database over the Internet, and others.
• Power and maintenance problems: A number of technical and operational concerns, such as protracted power outages and maintenance problems, may also have an impact on monitoring station operations.
• Continuous Data Flow Interruptions: As a result of these limitations, it's possible that continuous data dissemination will be hindered in some way.
Conclusion
Pollutants are also given a weight under the National Air Quality Index depending on how they impact the environment and subsequently, human health. In AQI, the air quality on a particular day is represented by a composite number and a single color. To ensure that common people are informed of the level of pollution in their area and its impacts on their health, this is done. Even if the Air Quality Index measurement has minimal technological restrictions, in the event of errors, critical actions are done right away to get the system up and running again in a reasonable length of time. There can therefore be no doubt that they act as a roadmap for enlightening and sensitizing the general public.