Ambient air quality monitoring during the H1N1 influence period in Pune (India).
Ambient air quality in an urban area is directly linked with activity level in the city including transport, business and industrial activities. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has established an ambient air quality network in the city including state-of-the-art continuous air quality monitoring stations which indicate short duration air quality variations for criteria and non-criteria pollutants. The influence of H1N1 outbreak in Pune hitting its worst pandemic condition, led the civic authorities to implement stringent isolation measures including closure of schools, colleges, business malls, cinema halls, etc. Additionally, the fear of such a pandemic brought the city to a stand still. It was therefore necessary to assess the impacts of such activity level on ambient air quality in the city. It has been observed that such events have positive impacts on air quality of the city. There was a decrease in PM concentration almost to the tune of 30 to 40% if the impacts of precipitation, i.e. seasonal variations, are taken into account. Similarly, the non criteria pollutants too showed a marked but unusual decrease in their concentrations in this ever growing city. The influence of these in turn led to lowered concentrations of secondary pollutants, i.e. O3. Overall, the ambient air quality of Pune was found to be improved during the study period.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Mumbai-400 022, India.
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Pathak
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Deshpande
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Mirashe
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Sorte
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Ojha
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D007194:India; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000032:analysis; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000032:analysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D010126:Ozone; D002248:Carbon Monoxide