AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE MONITORING AND ESTIMATING THE HEALTH RISK IN HYDERABAD

ABSTRACT

Air pollution may have severe long-term as well as short-term health effects. The determination of possible links between pollution levels and impact on human health is, however, not a straightforward task. A key problem is the assessment of human exposure to ambient pollution levels. The present paper presents an integrated air pollution exposure monitoring system based on real time air pollution - meteorological monitoring and dispersion modeling. The system allows identifying the geographical area whose population is most exposed to ambient pollution, identifying the concentration of pollution the population is breathing in, correlation of the subjects with hospital admission data to predict the air pollution exposure. For the model studies a number of potential monitoring sites are screened for general and site-specific criteria in GIS environment that may, on a local basis, affect the representativeness of the data collected. For monitoring air pollution, an online and real-time monitoring system has been designed using advanced electrochemical sensor systems (Sulphur dioxide, Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, Hydrocarbons, ozone, mercaptans and hydrogen sulphide) and particulate matter analyzer (TSPM, PM2.5 and PM10). Preliminary statistical analysis carried out using inhalation Transfer factor and Population inhalation Transfer factors has revealed the approximate amounts of pollution inhaled by the city dwellers in Hyderabad. It is concluded that particulate matter is posing serious threat for the respiratory illnesses in Hyderabad. Definitely further studies are required on inhalation factors specific to age groups under different climatic conditions and also epidemiological data of hospital admissions in Hyderabad.