- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has instituted national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), ensuring consistent air quality standards across the country.
- The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was introduced nationwide in 2019 with the objective of reducing particulate matter levels by 20–30% in 132 cities by 2024.
- Failure to consistently meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) over a five-year period categorizes a city as non-compliant.
NAAQ STANDARD
- The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act empowers the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to establish air quality standards.
- Subsequently, in November 2009, the CPCB introduced the prevailing National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
- The regulations set in 2009 standardized national air quality benchmarks and significantly reduced the permissible limits for various pollutants.
The standards are categorized into two types:
- Primary Standards: These are designed to safeguard human health with an ample margin of safety, considering vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
- Secondary Standards: Formulated to protect against any known or anticipated adverse effects of a pollutant on public welfare, property, traffic safety, economic values, and personal comfort and well-being.
POLLUTANTS COVERED
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards encompass a range of pollutants, including:
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
- Particulate matter with a size less than 10 microns (PM10)
- Particulate matter with a size less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5)
- Ozone
- Lead
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Arsenic
- Nickel
- Benzene
- Ammonia
- Benzopyrene
NAAQS – MONITORING
- The National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) is a comprehensive initiative led by the Central Pollution Control Board, aimed at monitoring the levels of crucial air pollutants, reporting violations, and conducting research on pollution trends.
- NAMP actively monitors the levels of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM / PM10) at 342 operational stations situated in 127 cities across India.
- The program regularly publishes a list of cities that violate air quality standards, which can be accessed here.
- Additionally, on November 29, 2011, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) announced an expansion of monitoring efforts to include PM2.5 at selected locations in major cities.
Recent Scenario – NAAQS
- In the recent scenario, it is estimated that India’s population-weighted mean annual ambient PM2.5 exposure in the reference year, 2015, was 55 g/m3.
- Exposure levels vary significantly across the country, with the Delhi National Capital Region (Delhi NCR) experiencing the highest exposure.
- Throughout India, annual PM2.5 exposure surpasses recommended levels in 58%, 67%, 83%, 97%, and 99% of districts, respectively.
- All districts in Northwest India and the Gangetic Plain exhibit yearly exposure levels higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
- While 82% and 50% of districts in Central and West India exceed the NAAQS, only 22%, 19%, and 2% of districts in North, Northeast, and South India, respectively, surpass these standards.
FAQs – National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
1-What is NAAQS?
A: NAAQS stands for National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which are uniform standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure consistent air quality across the nation.
2-What empowers the CPCB to establish air quality standards?
A: The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act empowers the CPCB to establish air quality standards in India.
3-When were the prevailing NAAQS introduced, and what was their objective?
A: In November 2009, the CPCB introduced the prevailing National Ambient Air Quality Standards with the goal of standardizing air quality benchmarks and reducing permissible limits for various pollutants.
4-What are Primary Standards under NAAQS?
A: Primary Standards are designed to protect human health with a sufficient margin of safety, considering vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
5-What are Secondary Standards under NAAQS?
A: Secondary Standards are formulated to protect against any known or anticipated adverse effects of pollutants on public welfare, property, traffic safety, economic values, and personal comfort and well-being.
6-Which pollutants are covered under NAAQS?
A: NAAQS covers a range of pollutants, including Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), Ozone, Lead, Carbon monoxide (CO), Arsenic, Nickel, Benzene, Ammonia, and Benzopyrene.
7-What is the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP)?
A: NAMP is a nationwide initiative led by the CPCB to monitor levels of key air pollutants, report violations, and conduct research on pollution trends.
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