Air Quality Assessment with Human Health Effects for Kota Metropolis, Rajasthan India.

Abstract

Bad air quality is the number one environmental concern globally due to its severe impact on animals, plant life, humans and property. This study has assessed air quality and health impact on humans in Kota metropolis, Rajasthan (India), to increase the understanding of the relation between health and pollutant sources, emission characteristics, topography, and meteorological conditions. AQI and EF are also calculated to determine the pollution category and critical level of pollutants, respectively. The health effects of particulate matter on inhabitants are estimated with the AirQ+ software. The annual concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 were more than prescribed limits by CPCB, while SO2 and NO2 are well below the prescribed limits. The maximum concentrations of pollutants were detected in Winter, followed by Summer and Rainy seasons. AQI varies from satisfactory to inferior category. EF was more than 1 for all monitoring stations for PM10 and PM2.5 exhibiting High pollution, 0.5-.09 indicates Moderate pollution for NO2, while less than .5 for SO2 shows Low pollution. Particulate matter is the primary cause of air pollution. The PM2.5 induced ENACs (Estimated Number of Attributable Cases) for all causes of mortality, COPD, ALRI, LC, IHD, and stroke were 4546, 435, 255, 806,1958, and 1772, respectively. The ENACs for post neonatal infant mortality, the prevalence of bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis due to PM10 increased by 326006, 716, and 13700, respectively. This study carries useful findings and suggestions for stakeholders and policymakers to control and mitigate the decrement in air quality.