AP Pollution Control Board on Thursday discussed the study aspects on air pollution levels in the city and their source apportionment.

Alarming rise in vehicular traffic and growth in city’s size and population have led to increase in air pollutants over the years raising concern in various circles.

The meeting conducted on the instructions of APPCB Chairman Phani Kumar discussed the study carried out by GITAM University on air pollutants. Former Member-Secretary of Central Pollution Control Board B. Sengupta, APPCB Member-Secretary B.S.S. Prasad, Krishna University Vice-Chancellor S. Ramakrishna Rao and APPCB Chief Environmental Engineer A. Ramachand attended.

During the review, Mr. Prasad briefed about the air quality status of Visakhapatnam and stated that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had constituted a Task Force to achieve pollution-free environment in the city and its suburbs.

APPCB issued the work order to GITAM University for mapping of eco-sensitive zones with respect to pollution dispersion and apportionment study of pollutants.

Prof. Ramakrishna Rao informed that under his supervision, GITAM University carried out the study in bowl area and requested Dr. Sengupta for his suggestions on the report. Dr. Sengupta presented about the air pollution assessment case studies done for Delhi and suggested GITAM to consider mixing height parameter, cross-checking the air quality data with load based parameters. He said for compilation of air pollutant emission factors for air modelling and assessing traffic pollution, the Central Road Research Institute data might be adopted to assess traffic pollution field study. He also suggested the study shall be prepared as per the standard operating procedure prepared by CPCB.