Air quality monitoring system is the new talk of town

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India is an overpopulated country. India has the most population in the world after China and some reports and statistics also state that soon India will become the most populated country. With a growing population, growth in pollution can also be observed. This also includes air pollution. Everyone breathes air as it is the basic necessity to remain alive. Improving the quality of air in order to be healthy, we need to monitor the quality of the air. Air pollution leads to various deadly diseases like lung cancer.

So, we need to monitor this air and it is done through an air quality monitoring system. This system can be installed anywhere in open or closed areas in order to measure the quality of air in that area. Thus, there is a constant lip to lip talk about this monitoring system and its uses. According to a report, the Government of India has planned to install about 1,500 air quality monitoring systems by 2024. Air pollution is an upcoming matter of discussion amongst all of us.

It’s high time

After installing some air quality systems around India, it was observed that places like Delhi and Mumbai have a very high air quality index (low being the best and high being the worst). Air quality index of Delhi is generally average level, ranging between 101–200 in the first two quarters of the year, and then it drastically deteriorates to Very Poor, ranging between 301–400, Severe, ranging between 401–500 or Hazardous levels, generally 500+ during the fourth quarter of the year due to various factors including stubble burning, road dust, cold, vehicle pollution and various festivals like Diwali.

Air monitoring system are changing the scenario

Due to the drastic dip in the quality of air during certain times of the year, a lot of places have adopted various policies to curb the impact on air. These actions have been possible only because of the installation of air monitoring systems which provide a detailed view of the particulate matter in the air and compel the authorities to take steps for bettering the air.

Without the presence of these systems, it would be impossible for people to know about the air quality and the authorities might ignore the urgency of improving the quality of air. Thus, it becomes very important to install these systems in public places so that the people are well aware of the pollution levels and can pressurize the authorities to undertake effective measures.

Some harmful air pollutants

A few air pollutants, called criteria air pollutants, are quite common across the globe at present. These pollutants are quite strong and cause a great deal of damage to the general health of the public and property as well. Out of all the pollutants, these pollutants are said to have the most negative impact on the quality of air and subsequently, on the health of people coming in contact with such air. Thus, it becomes highly important to measure the presence of these pollutants.

  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Lead (Pb)
  • Ozone (O3)

Researchers have proved that indoor air can be worse than the outdoor pollutants in large and industrialized cities. This is a cause of grave concern to those spending time in places where the quality of air dips so low. And what is more frightening is that up until now, most people didn’t even realize that the quality of air they were inhaling was so poor. As there is an increase in the conversation about poor air quality and its negative impacts, people are becoming more aware and quite a lot of public places are installing air quality monitoring systems so that anyone spending time in the place is aware of the kind of air they are inhaling.

Monitoring can protect our environment

Now, how does keeping a check on the quality of the air benefits a person as an individual? The answer to the question is too simple to be answered. If we do not check the air quality index how do we purify it for our good? In today’s world, air quality monitoring has become a necessity as it informs people about the pollutants present in the air they are breathing and urges them to take necessary steps to improve the quality.

Moreover, many international and regional laws prescribe the optimum quality of air that should be maintained at a particular place. If someone is found flouting these laws, by having a poorer air quality than that which is prescribed, legal action will be taken against them and they might have to pay heavy penalties. Installing an air monitoring system will make sure that you are aware of the air quality around you at all times and will help you maintain the prescribed air quality and avoid any legal trouble.

Closing thoughts

So, to talk on social issues like this, (i.e. monitoring air quality index) benefits not only an individual but to the society as a whole. And installing one at your workplace or a shared space will not only help you take care of yourself but also the ones around you and ultimately, the global air quality will improve once people start bettering the air quality in the areas they live or work in.