Impact Assessment of Particulate matter (PM 10 ) by Cement Industry: A Case Study in Khrew& khanmoh (J&K), India

Abstract

Abstract The concentration of pollutant particulate matter (PM10) associated with cement production in Kashmir valley (Khrew and Khanmoh; where currently nine cement plants are operational) and its effect on human health were assessed in this study. The air pollutant particulate matter was assessed using the Air Quality Index (AQI) methodology. By comparing the collected data with permissible limits given by National Environment quality (NEQ) we found that in the Khrew area of the valley, the concentration of PM10 was highest in 2017 (141.65 µg/m3) whereas the permissible limit for a year is 60 µg/m3, and the lowest was in 2018 and 2019 (112.55µg/m3, 116.58 µg/m3) respectively. The concentration of PM10 in the khanmoh area was also high in 2017 (171.87µg/m3) which is higher than the khrew area and the lowest was recorded in 2019 (119.8 µg/m3). By analyzing the concentration of PM10 in both areas (Khrew and khanmoh) the cement plants which are located in these two areas should use pollution control devices to overcome this pollution as this concentration of PM10 is not good for human health as it can cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. The effect may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases (IND. AQI) as both areas fall in the "poor" category (AQI).