RECENT TREND OF AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AT FOUR STATIONS IN AGRA, INDIA

ABSTRACT

The Central Pollution Control Board has taken the responsibility of Ambient Air quality monitoring at four identified locations viz. at Tajmahal (one of the wonders of the world), at Itmad-ud-daulah, (a historical monument), at Rambagh, a garden of Mughal (adjacent to river Yamuna and NH-2) and Nunhai (an industrial estate). The activity was initiated in January 2002 and is still in progress. The accumulated data of these four stations have been taken to use for estimation of pollution trend. The proven statistical tool moving average is applied over a period of twelve months starting from May 2002 to September 2004 for parameters Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Respirable Particulate Matter (RSPM), Nitrogen di oxide NO2 and Sulphur di oxide (SO2). The paper concludes that there is a decreasing trend with respect to parameters SPM, RSPM and NO2 at Tajmahal, while in other stations either increasing or decreasing trend can be seen. The paper also puts forwards a few recommendations towards achievements of better air quality in future.