A short review on different techniques used for site selection of air quality monitoring stations

Abstract

Air pollution has become a serious concern across the world in the last few decades. In specific cities, the air quality index value had changed from very unhealthy to a hazardous level of health concern. Air pollution has a serious impact on daily lives in those cities. Monitoring of air pollution is becoming necessary these days. Air quality monitoring stations are installed to get the air pollution data, which indicates in the air quality index (AQI) value. In order to contain a proper air quality index (AQI) value, it is essential to locate the air quality monitoring stations in the appropriate place of the study area. Several techniques were being used for site selection of air quality monitoring stations for the last few decades. In this short review, all such techniques have been studied systematically, and comprehensive analysis has been reported for further use by the scientific community and policymakers. In this study, the methods used in the site selection of air quality monitoring stations were categorized into four groups. (1) Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques; (2) Geographical Information System (GIS); (3) hybrid techniques; and (4) miscellaneous. In the site selection of air quality monitoring stations, the decision-makers should consider various parameters based on the study area. While considering various parameters, the problem solving becomes complex. At this point, MCDM techniques, GIS, and Hybrid techniques are found to be helpful tools for the decision-makers.