The PM 10 (Particulate Matter of 10 micrometers or less in diameter) values in three cities – Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Coimbatore – complies with the NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standard) of 60 microgram per metre cube (annual standard).
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar gave this reply on Tuesday in response to a question from Anakapalle MP MuttamsettiSrinivasa Rao on the air quality in various cities.
Regulations
The SO2, NO2 and PM 10 levels in Visakhapatnam, which were 13, 18 and 67 in 2013, were 13, 20 and 64 in 2014 and declined to 8, 18 and 60 in 2015. The Minister noted that the steps taken by the government to mitigate air pollution include, notification of NAAQS envisaging 12 pollutants, formulation of environmental regulations, setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality, introduction of alternate fuels like gaseous fuel and ethanol blend and promotion of cleaner production processes.
