Impact of Air Pollution and its Remedial Measure at Pasakha

Abstract

The study focuses on the extent of air pollution and its impact on human health, vegetation, agriculture, subsurface water, and soil at Pasakha industrial area. To study the health impact, the region was divided into three areas and a questionnaire survey was carried out to assess the adversely affected area. The morbidity reports of industrial and non-industrial areas were compared to see the variation in number of cases for pollution-associated diseases. People residing within the industrial area were found to be suffering from air pollution-related diseases as compared to those residing in the non-industrial area.

 

Visual inspection of the vegetation cover was carried out within an area of 3.06 km² including the farming villages to evaluate the change in vegetation and agricultural production. The most common plant and crop diseases, namely chlorosis and necrosis along with air pollution, were identified as one of the contributing factors for the reduction of agricultural production over the years.

 

Water and soil tests were carried out on samples collected from different locations in the affected area and it was established that there was no significant effect on the quality of soil and water. Various test values such as pH, acidity, alkalinity, sulphate, etc., were found to be within the permissible limits set by NEC.

 

Though only PM10 is monitored currently at Pasakha, the presence of other pollutants was confirmed from the source of emission and impact study. The inadequacy of the current monitoring station is discussed and remedial measures are proposed for improvement of the monitoring scheme. The proposed air quality monitoring network is based on the effectiveness of the area coverage, the varieties of pollutants it can monitor, the consistency and accuracy of the methods, and user-friendly.