Interpretation of Air Quality Data Using Air Quality Index for the City of Cochin, India

Under the National Ambient Air Quality (NAQM) Monitoring program, air quality in the city of Cochin is being regularly monitored by Central Pollution Control Board. Air quality management programme requires reliable information of air quality collected, evaluated and analysed regularly. This is of paramount importance in protecting man and his environment from damaging exposure to air pollution. The data for SPM, SO2 and NOx were collected at three sites representing residential, commercial and industrial activity zones at all the sites. Based on this data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was calculated using Oak Ridge Air Quality Index (ORAQI). This is an indication of the total effect of all the pollutants together. Calculations of AQI for different seasons and different activity zones are done to examine the pollution level. In the present article an attempt is also made to study the change in pollution status during the last decade using the monthly mean data. Jr. of Industrial Pollution Control 24 (2) (2008) pp 155-159