The National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP), overseen by the Central Pollution Control Board, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at monitoring ambient air quality across the nation. With a network comprising 804 active stations, it covers 344 cities and towns spanning 28 states and 6 union territories. The primary objective of the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme is to assess the present state and trends in ambient air quality, while also identifying any deviations from established standards. Through this program, efforts are directed towards evaluating the pollution levels in urban areas and implementing necessary measures to mitigate pollution levels.
NAMP- OBJECTIVES
The National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Assess the status and trends of ambient air quality.
- Determine compliance with specified ambient air quality standards.
- Identify Non-Achievement Cities where air quality standards are not met.
- Develop an understanding to establish preventive and remedial measures.
Understand natural processes involved in environmental cleansing, such as pollution generation, dilution, dispersion, wind-based movement, dry deposition, precipitation, and chemical transformation.
NAMP- MONITORING
- Pollutants are monitored twice a week for 24 hours each time (4 hours for gaseous pollutants and 8 hours for particulate matter), resulting in 104 observations per year.
- The monitoring process involves collaboration between the Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Boards, Pollution Control Committees, and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur.
- The CPCB coordinates with these entities to ensure data consistency and uniformity across air quality monitoring stations.
- Technical and financial assistance is provided to these organizations to operate the monitoring stations. NAMP is administered through multiple monitoring agencies.
NAMP – POLLUTANTS TAKEN
Four air pollutants are routinely monitored under NAMP at all locations:
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- Nitrogen oxides (NO)
- Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM / PM10)
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
Additionally, meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity (RH), wind speed and direction, and RH are also monitored.
NAMP – Current Scenario of Prescribed Pollutants
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2):
- Concentrations are within permitted limits set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
- Declining levels observed in residential areas of cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Bhopal, attributed to various measures including the use of LPG instead of coal and reduction of sulfur in diesel.
- Transition to CNG from diesel may have contributed to lower ambient SO2 levels.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2):
- Levels below regulated National Ambient Air Quality Standards in most cities.
- Declining trend observed in residential areas of Bhopal, Solapur, etc., attributed to measures to reduce vehicular pollution.
- Transportation remains a significant source of NO2, though ambient levels fluctuate in many areas despite increased vehicular density.
Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM):
- Levels higher than permitted National Ambient Air Quality Standards in most cities.
- Exponential rise in vehicle numbers a significant contributor to elevated RSPM levels.
- Declining trend noted in cities like Solapur, Ahmedabad, etc., possibly due to measures such as reducing sulfur content in diesel and enforcing stricter particulate matter standards for diesel vehicles.
- Ambient RSPM trends observed to be erratic in many cities.
Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM):
- Levels higher than permitted National Ambient Air Quality Standards in most areas.
- Sources include vehicles, natural dust, industrial emissions, and resuspension of dust, among others.
- Annual average SPM concentrations exhibit instability in many cities.
- Lower RSPM and SPM concentrations during monsoon attributed to moist deposition, while higher RSPM levels in winter may be due to lower mixing heights and calm weather conditions.
How Does the PM Get Into the Air?
- Particulate Matter (PM) comprises solid and liquid droplets in the air, including visible elements like dust, smoke, and soot, as well as microscopic particles.
- PM originates from various sources such as fields, fires, construction sites, and unpaved roads.
- Pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides undergo complex chemical reactions, contributing to PM formation from sources like power plants, industries, and vehicles.
- Natural sources of PM include sea salt, dust, secondary sulfate, pollen, black carbon from wildfires, and volcanic ash.
NAMP – Non-attainment Cities
- Cities failing to meet the established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are designated as non-attainment cities by the CPCB.
- Based on ambient air quality data collected from 2008 to 2010 under the National Air Quality Monitoring Program, these cities are identified.
- Non-attainment cities are those where national ambient air quality standards are not met.
- States are devising and implementing action plans to reduce air pollution in non-attainment cities.
NAMP- CHALLENGES
- Upgradation of Network: It is crucial to upgrade the existing monitoring network to ensure its effectiveness and reliability in capturing air quality data accurately.
- Regular Monitoring Stations: There is a need to establish regular monitoring stations in alignment with population density, traffic volume, and industrial activity to provide comprehensive coverage and insights into air quality variations.
- Additional Online Stations: Setting up additional online monitoring stations is essential to gather real-time data on pollution levels, enabling authorities to identify areas with acute pollution and take prompt corrective actions. This expansion aligns with recommendations from the Parliamentary committee.
- Information Handling and Distribution: Efficient handling and timely dissemination of information from monitoring sensors are essential to empower citizens to take proactive measures. Accessible and transparent data distribution enhances public awareness and engagement in combating air pollution.
- Regional-level Action Plans: Policymakers and pollution control authorities must develop city- and region-specific action plans based on precise data collected from monitoring stations. These plans should outline targeted interventions to mitigate air pollution effectively.
FAQs – National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)
1. What is the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)?
A: The NAMP is a comprehensive initiative led by the Central Pollution Control Board to monitor ambient air quality throughout India. It comprises a network of monitoring stations across cities and towns to assess pollution levels and trends.
2. How many monitoring stations are part of the NAMP network?
A: Currently, there are 804 active monitoring stations covering 344 cities and towns across 28 states and 6 union territories in India.
3. What are the objectives of the NAMP?
A: The objectives include assessing ambient air quality status and trends, determining compliance with air quality standards, identifying non-attainment cities, understanding preventive measures, and studying natural processes affecting environmental cleansing.
4. Which pollutants are monitored under the NAMP?
A: The NAMP monitors four primary air pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO), respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM/PM10), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Additionally, meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed are also tracked.
5. What is the current scenario of prescribed pollutants under the NAMP?
A: Key pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable suspended particulate matter, and suspended particulate matter are assessed. While SO2 and NO2 levels are within standards, RSPM and SPM levels often exceed permissible limits in many cities.
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