CSE releases guidlines on emission monitoring systems to monitor pollution

Hyderabad: With a lax system to monitor pollution and a weak compliance enforcement mechanism the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has published a set of broad guidelines for installing and operating continuous emission monitoring systems along with a first manual of its kind in India.

CSE programme manager Sanjeev K. Kanchan said the handbook would be a tool for state PCBs to facilitate inspection of CEMS installations. 

“Industries can use this handbook for self-assessment of installation, and for better use of equipment,” he said. 

He said that even though India has tightened its norms, pollution has grown because of lack of monitoring and compliance enforcement. 

According to CSE researchers, industries under-report their pollution levels, while the existing regime fails to ensure credible pollution monitoring and accurate data reporting. PCBs rarely get a chance for on-site inspection.

The manual suggests data accuracy, higher monitoring frequency, minimal manual intervention, firm regulatory monitoring and better transparency.