Tamil Nadu: Kovai to get 1st real-time air monitors

Chennai: Coimbatore, notorious for its air pollution due to various manufacturing industries, is all set to get a first-of-its-kind air monitoring system soon.The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), which is the nodal agency, plans to set up the continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) in the Coimbatore SIDCO branch office, Kurichi, at a cost of Rs 2 crore.

As the ammonia and dust levels in SIDCO Industrial estate have been exceeding permissible levels, the pollution mangers felt the need to install a CAAQMS here. “The 24-hour-real time monitoring system would check for excess levels of carcinogenic chemicals including dioxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur.  It would also monitor the PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels, which are highly hazardous to public health,” said a senior official of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.

The minute-by-minute findings through the monitoring system will be validated to hour basis. The expenditure is to be borne equally by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board, the TNPCB official said, adding that the board would conduct the trial run soon.

When pollution levels exceed permissible limits, TNPCB would hold meetings with industries concerned to sensitise on eco-friendly methods that include the usage of dust collectors and wet scrubbers.

“Residential localities within four km radius - Sundarapuram, Kamarajapuram and Pothanur - are worst affected due to industrial pollution from foundries and automobile companies. Implementing the monitoring system is primary and pollution managers should work towards its reduction,” said Daniel Jesudasan, a social activist.

TNPCB connects to Central Board

• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has instructed all state-wide boards to share real time air monitoring data with the former, in order to maintain the centralised database.
• “CPCB will access the data on a regular basis. By knowing the air quality data, it can come up with effective steps,” said the TNPCB official.
• Coimbatore has three manual air monitoring stations at Gandhi Park, District Collectors office and SIDCO estate.
• While data from the manual stations needs lab analyses to know the result, it could be known instantly through the real time stations.