Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Least visible pollutant particle in air in major cities , 09/05/2016
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Least visible pollutant particle in air in major cities , 09/05/2016. The total Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in ambient air is comprised of PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 micron), PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micron) and PM1. The least visible particulate matter i.e. PM1 (particulate matter less than 1 micron) is significantly smaller than PM2.5 is not monitored by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as the same is not regulated. The monitoring of PM1 is not being done even by the Environment Protection Agency of United States of America on regular basis. CPCB is in the process of planning to undertake monitoring of PM1 initially with certain locations in Delhi and other major cities of the country, for this purpose CPCB is studying all aspects of Monitoring of PM1 including technology and international monitoring protocols. Presently, CPCB in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) monitoring ambient air quality at 612 monitoring stations located in 254 cities/towns in 29 states and 5 union territories across the country under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Earlier, dust in ambient air was being monitored as SPM (particulate matter less than 100 micron) and PM10 but now PM10 at all locations and PM2.5 at select locations. The air quality monitoring data with respect to Particulate matter in million plus cities during 2015 is annexed.