CHENNAI : Indian Institute of Technology-Madras is studying the ambient air quality in the city under the `Emission Inventory and Source Apportionment' study commissioned recently.

The study is focussed on the impact of vehicular emissions and industries on air quality. The 18-month-long study should be over by February next year, said a senior official of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. A similar study by the TNPCB in 2003 found that vehicular emissions were the major contributor to air pollution. The draft second Master Plan prepared by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and made public on Wednesday refers to the 2003 study. It said the major contributors to Chennai air pollution load are vehicles (71.28 percent) and industry (19.7 percent).

The TNPCB study had also mapped areas where the amount of suspended particulate matter was the highest. It includes T. Nagar, parts of Saidapet, Choolaimedu, Vadapalani, Royapettah, Egmore, parts of Adyar, Teynampet, parts of Tondiarpet, Koyambedu, Purasawalkam, Mandaveli, Mylapore and George Town. In addition to the pollution caused by the vehicles, unpaved roads lead to collection of sand on the roadsides, causing dust to rise, the study said.