Assessment Of Air Pollutants At Selected Monitoring Stations Of Moradabad

Moradabad is one of the brassware city of India and known as the ‘Pital Nagari’, it is famous for the brassware items which has elevated the risk of atmospheric pollution. The present study was carried out to assess air pollutants at selected monitoring stations using a statistical approach consisting of analysis of variance and air quality index (AQI). It is evaluated by monitoring PM10, SO2 and NO2 at three different sites, that is Buddh Bazar (site I), Police Training Centre (site II) and Moradabad Development Authority (site III). Results are based on AQI calculator launched by MoEF, New Delhi. The AQI obtained from different sites is 194, 148 and 130 at sites I, II and III for the summer season and 226, 167 and 150 at sites I, II and III for the winter season, respectively. During monsoon, AQI observed is 183, 139 and 100 at sites I, II and III. The maximum AQI value was recorded at the site I in winter season while minimum at the site III in monsoon season. The exalted concentration of all the pollutants at the site I may be due to anthropogenic activities, that is vehicular density and generators near bus stand and railway station and a number of open brass melting furnaces pose a serious threat to air quality. Police training centre falls in high pollution category where roads, lanes and bylanes are swept every morning by a number of worker and trainees. Control site (Moradabad development authority) showed moderate pollution as it is relatively a clean area. The study concluded that a high number of vehicles and the brassware industries are responsible for the enhanced concentration of air pollution.