Use of multi-objective air pollution monitoring sites and online air pollution monitoring system for total health risk assessment in Hyderabad, India.

Y Anjaneyulu,K V Ramani,P V Mukunda Rao,I Jayakumar,N Rambabu,G Sagareswar,V Hima Bindu

doi:10.3390/ijerph2005020021

Abstract

A consensus has been emerging among public health experts in developing countries that air pollution, even at current ambient levels, aggravates respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and leads to premature mortality. Recent studies have also presented well-founded theories concerning the biological mechanisms involved and the groups of people that are probably more susceptible to health effects caused or exacerbated by inhalation of ambient particulate matter (PM.). On the basis of prognostic studies carried out in Center for Environment, JNT University, Hyderabad "it has been estimated that in Hyderabad some 1,700 to 3,000 people per year die prematurely as a result of inhaling PM". These figures reflect only the effects of acute exposure to air pollution. If the long-term effects of chronic exposure are taken into account, 10,000-15,000 people a year could die prematurely in Hyderabad. This estimate of the chronic effects is based on other studies, which are not completely comparable with the Hyderabad situation. While the study designs and analyses in these other studies may indeed be different or irrelevant to Hyderabad, the fact they were carried out in other countries is irrelevant. Taking into account these considerations, a model for total health risk assessment for the city of Hyderabad, and its state of Andhra Pradesh in India has been developed using a multi-objective air pollution monitoring network and online and real time air pollution monitoring stations. For the model studies a number of potential monitoring sites were screened for general and site-specific criteria in a geographic information system (GIS) environment that may, on a local basis, affect the representativeness of the data collected. Local features that may affect either the chemical or meteorological parameters are evaluated to assure a minimum of interference. Finally, for monitoring air pollution, an online and real-time monitoring system was designed using advanced electrochemical sensor systems (sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, ozone, mercaptans and hydrogen sulphide) and a particulate matter analyzer (total suspended particulate matter TSPM), PM2.5 and PM10). The sensor and data acquisition systems are programmed to monitor pollution levels at 1/2 hour durations during peak hours and at 1-hour intervals at other times. Presently, extensive statistical and numerical simulations are being carried out at our center to correlate the individuals living in the monitored areas with respiratory infections with air pollution.

Highlights

Recent studies have confirmed that many large Indian cities are experiencing significant particulate matter pollution with 14 cities reporting levels exceeding 1.5 times the current air pollution standard, 12 cities with high levels and 3 cities reporting moderate levels
The present paper describes a total health risk assessment model for health risk in Hyderabad, India
The area should be the zone of highest pollution concentration within the region; one or more stations are to be located in the area

Summary

Introduction

Recent studies have confirmed that many large Indian cities are experiencing significant particulate matter pollution with 14 cities reporting levels exceeding 1.5 times the current air pollution standard, 12 cities with high levels and 3 cities reporting moderate levels. Studies on short-term exposure to high pollution concentrations have suggested higher prevalence of bronchitis, asthma, and other symptoms [6] For both chronic and acute health effects, the elderly, children, and those suffering from respiratory or heart conditions seem to be most at risk. Taking the limitations of time series studies into consideration, an eight step methodological framework has been adopted for the total health risk assessment in Hyderabad described in this paper. The broad intention of the present work is to study the cumulative exposure indices for the total risk assessment for selected subjects in Hyderabad. Detailed field investigations were carried out using global positioning satellites (GPS) to identify the multi-objective air quality monitoring network for total risk assessment studies in Hyderabad so as to identify representative sites for pollution monitoring.

Results and Discussion

There should be no medium sized sources within

Conclusions