Air Quality of Coimbatore with Emphasis on Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM), a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances is an ubiquitous air pollutant, contributed by both natural and anthropogenic sources. Ever since the advent of industrial era, anthropogenic sources of PM have been increasing rapidly. Increasing amounts of such potentially harmful particles being emitted into the atmosphere on a global scale has resulted in damage to the health and environment. Recently it is also reported that soot particles have a heating effect to the atmosphere. Such heating effect can have wide implications on various systems of earth including climate. PM in the atmosphere is categorized according to size because of different health impacts from particles of different diameters. PM with diameters of less than 50 pm are generally classified as Total suspended Particulate Matter (TSPM). Particles that are greater than 50 pm in diameter do not remain in the atmosphere for appreciable lengths of time and present no health risk. Particulates with a diameter less than 10 pm defined as PM 10 or Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), enter the respiratory system and may become lodged in the alveoli resulting in wide range health effects including cancer and heart failures. PM 10 has the potential to travel long distances and cause cumulative effects. Other hazardous air pollutants may adhere to these particles, increasing their toxicity. These particles on wet and dry deposition are known to pollute local, regional and global land and water resources.