Title: Monitoring and analysis of PM₁₀ concentration at Delhi Metro construction sites

Authors: Rajeev Kumar Mishra; Tarun Joshi; Nikhil Goel; Himanshu Gupta; Amrit Kumar

Addresses: Department of Environmental Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi-110042, India ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi-110042, India ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi-110042, India ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi-110042, India ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi-110042, India

Abstract: Among all critical air pollutants, particulate matter pollution (PM₁₀) is being awarded greater significance over the past decade. Along with vehicular traffic and meteorological phenomenon, construction works are the major source for release of PM₁₀ in the atmosphere. It is a major source for acute, chronic and respiratory health problems. It produces short term as well as long term health problems in day-to-day lifestyle. This study aims to collect real time particulate matter data from metro construction sites to understand the gravity of the particulate matter pollution due to metro construction works. EPAM HAZ 5000 dust sampler is used to conduct the field studies and record the particulate matter (PM₁₀) levels at Badli, Mayapuri and Najafhgarh metro construction sites of Delhi, India. The results report alarmingly high levels of particulate matter pollution, i.e., 245 ppm (during peak hours), 222 ppm (during peak hours) at Najafgarh and Mayapuri metro construction sites respectively, with time weighted average of PM₁₀ concentration exceeding the national ambient air quality standards (24 hr) of 100 µg/m³.

Keywords: ambient air monitoring; Delhi Metro; EPAM HAZ dust sampler; National Ambient Air Quality Standards; NAAQS; PM10; pariculate matter; air pollution; construction sites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2015.072111

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2015 Vol.57 No.1/2, pp.27 - 37

Received: 24 Sep 2014
Accepted: 10 Mar 2015
Published online: 30 Sep 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article