Ambient air quality monitoring is required to determine the existing quality of air, evaluation of the effectiveness of control programme and to identify areas in need of restoration and their prioritization. AGS Air Quality Monitoring Programme along with details on pollutants measured and their frequency. Guidelines for monitoring are made for carrying out ambient air quality monitoring under description of the programme is essential as the monitoring is carried out to meet the objectives of requirements.
The number of measurements in indoor atmospheric environment is increasing due to growing number of complaints about the indoor air quality (IAQ). In the past, many such measurements are performed by researchers to test the postulated hypothesis about the effects between the complaints and the sources. The respective buildings generally characterized as ‘sick building’ and the associated illnesses are classified under ‘sick building syndromes’.
The major objectives for air quality monitoring are as below:
Background Data In order to generate background data, air quality monitoring is conducted to assess existing level of contamination and to asses possible effects of air contamination occurring in future.
Status and Trend Evaluation The objective is to determine air pollution status and trend information from any continuous air quality monitoring programme. The information is used to determine, whether pollution control strategies as advised by implementing authority are giving acceptable values that is lowering of pollution levels or new or additional control are required to achieve acceptable levels.
Environment Exposure Level Determination The air quality monitoring and survey concern itself with systematic study of considerable segment of environment to define inter-relationship of source of pollution, atmospheric parameter and measurable manifestations in order to evaluate the character and magnitude of existing problem.
Scavenging Behaviour of Environment To understand natural scavenging or cleansing process undergoing in the environment through pollution dilution, dispersion, wind movement, dry deposition, precipitation and chemical transformation of pollutants generated.
Air Quality Management To assess the present status to judge effectiveness of air pollution control strategies and long term management of air quality.
Causes of Indoor Air Pollution
Inadequate ventilation - increases indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home.
High temperature and humidity levels - increase concentrations of some pollutants.
There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.
Outdoor air enters and leaves a house by: infiltration, natural ventilation, and mechanical ventilation. In a process known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into the house through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. In natural ventilation, air moves through opened windows and doors. Air movement associated with infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature differences between indoors and outdoors and by wind.
High pollutant concentrations can remain in the indoor air for long periods after some of these activities
The use of cleaning products and pesticides in housekeeping.
Areas of Investigation
Environmental measurements
Building and ventilation characterization
Time activity assessment and Occupant’s health assessment.
