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Guidelines for the measurement of ambient air pollutants

Under the provisions of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the CPCB has notified fourth version of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 2009. This revised national standard aims to provide uniform air quality for all, irrespective of land use pattern, across the country. There are 12 identified health based parameters, which are to measure at the national level and with a view to have data comparison, need for uniform guidelines for monitoring, sampling, analyses, sample flow chart, data sheet based on standard method has been felt The methods prescribed in the notification for respective parameters are the combination of physical method, wet-chemical method and continuous on-line method. Therefore, to meet the NAAQS requirement, a combination of both manual and continuous method is invariably required at each monitoring location, besides good laboratory set up and infrastructure. In addition to the above, an in house exercise for applicability of all prescribed / recommended analytical methods was also felt necessary. After review and demonstration in the Central Laboratory, Delhi, guidelines are being prepared and documented, as under: Volume -I: Guidelines for manual sampling and analyses (along with sample flow chart and data sheets); Volume-II: Guidelines for continuous sampling and real time analyses.

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