Measurement & Control Methodologies of Road Side Ambient Air Emissions & Identification of New Species of Air Pollutants in Delhi / NCR

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">In a recent finding it was published that there are five (05) major cities across Delhi / NCR which falls under the World's most polluted cities (historical data 2017-2022) based on annual average PM2.5 concentration (μg/m³). The present study is entirely focused on Delhi / NCR and the measurement is done through the continuous type of air quality monitoring analyzers.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Various activities like construction, manufacturing, trash burning, production units, burning of organic compounds, power plants, biomass burning, demolition, vehicular emission etc. are the key sources that contribute to poor air quality. As a result of these activities, numerous dangerous chemicals, pollutants with different ionic species (along with gases and aerosols) are released and pose serious threats to health and environment. The primary sources of air quality degradation are identified by methodological &amp; scientific type of measurement done through advanced &amp; sophisticated instruments which are having the capabilities to assess the concentration levels of various pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, O3, THC, VOC, NOX, NH3, HONO and HNO3 as well as different ionic species Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cl^-, NO^2-, NO3^2- and SO4²- using standard methods.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">In the present study, four (04) different sites across the Delhi / NCR were chosen as control sites and it was concluded that the largest sources of PM10 emissions are from the industries, road dust and residential as well as biomass burning. The ionic species (unregulated) Ca²⁺ &amp;Mg²⁺ were found to be higher in the samples collected from all the four sites &amp; during the off peak hours the NO3^2- and SO4^2- were reported to be in the higher ranges. There is a need of implementation of more stringent &amp; revised guidelines for industries and also to formulate the framework for unorganized sector which are engaged in emissions largely not controlled / reported.</div></div>