EVALUATION OF AMBIENT AIR POLLUTION: A CASE STUDY OF VARANASI, U.P., INDIA

Man is making rapid strides in science and technology. His eagerness to increase his comfort by utilizing the natural resources resulted rapid industrialization and abnormal urbanization, which consequently witness excessive air pollution. The Varanasi city due to its rapid urban development, various construction projects sanctioned from government and exponential growth in the vehicular usage and fuel consumption resulted poor ambient air quality. On the other hand the decreasing forest cover and existing weather pattern of the city is not favorable for the dispersion of air pollutants. An inventory of air contaminants is the first step towards the control of air pollution. The purpose of the present study was to assess the present air quality status of Varanasi city and to compare the measured values with the recommended threshold limit values. The study has been carried out in 5 major circles of Varanasi. Air samples were collected using a High volume air sampler and analysis was made for SPM, SO2, and NOx by means of BIS methods. The results showed higher value of all the parameters i.e. SPM, SO2, and NOx beyond the CPCB limit. The study revealed a significant correlation between SO2, NOx and SPM.