PM refers to a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air.
Composition:
PM10: Inhalable particles with diameters generally 10 micrometres or smaller.
PM2.5: Fine inhalable particles with diameters generally 2.5 micrometres or smaller.
Sources of PM:
Some particles are emitted directly from sources like construction sites, smokestacks, and fires.
Most particles form in the atmosphere due to complex reactions involving pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Health Implications:
Small particles (<10 micrometres) can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
Exposure to PM is linked to:
Aggravated asthma
Decreased lung function
Increased respiratory symptoms
Cardiovascular problems
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
Launched by the Indian government in 2019 to address air pollution in 122 cities.
These cities are referred to as non-attainment cities due to failure to meet national ambient air quality standards.
NCAP strengthens the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) and provides data on PM levels.
What is monitored under NAMP?
The National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP), administered by the Central Pollution Control Board, is a nationwide program for monitoring ambient air quality.
Four air pollutants have been identified under N.A.M.P. for routine monitoring at all the locations.
They include sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO), respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM / PM10), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
The monitoring of meteorological parameters such as wind speed and wind direction, relative humidity (RH) and temperature were also integrated.
The monitoring of pollutants is carried out for 24 hours (4-hourly sampling for gaseous pollutants and 8-hourly sampling for particulate matter) with a frequency of twice a week, to have one hundred and four (104) observations in a year.