Do you know that ambient air monitoring analysis is indispensable for your industry to monitor the level of pollution in relation to the ambient air quality regulatory standards?

Whether you have a manufacturing unit , Hotels, Hospitals, Plants, Construction site, power plants, water treatment plants, software companies, Railways, distilleries, petroleum plants or Sugar industries it is important to get Ambient Air testing from an authorized laboratory.

Ambient Air Quality monitoring or testing is a process of measurement of pollutants present in the atmosphere. It ensures the safety of our environment and follows the regulatory guidelines for smooth functioning of your business.

A glance at Ambient Air quality

Ambient air quality standards are limits to concentrations of pollutants in air. It shows the presence of hazardous elements in the air which could be deleterious for health and environment. Ambient air quality monitoring tests the outdoor air quality.

Impact of Air Quality Monitoring

Air quality monitoring is the process of assessment of pollutants present in the atmosphere by their quantity and types as per air quality standards. Air quality monitoring provides details of the pollutants present in the atmosphere to improve the quality of air.

Need for Ambient Air Monitoring and Testing

Chemicals, Particulates or other harmful materials in the atmosphere cause damage to living organisms and environment Air pollutants are added in the atmosphere from a variety of sources that change the composition of the atmosphere and affect the biotic environment. Moreover, the regulatory agencies often require ambient air measurements of emissions impacts to establish the range and duration of air pollutant concentrations to which the public may be exposed.

Testing Parameter of Ambient Air Monitoring and Analysis

Tests required for regular monitoring of Ambient Air are particulate matter 10 PM 2.5, NO2, SO2, Ammonia, formaldehyde, Ozone, Benzene, Benzopyrene Arsenic(As), lead, arsenic, Nickel (Ni),Carbon monoxide (CO).

Method of Testing Ambient Air Quality

APHA (American Public Health Association) is the standard method for analysis of ambient air quality. It provides an elaborate protocol for testing various parameters of environmental pollutants.

The CPCB/ MoEF have also published their guideline/method for monitoring and analysis of ambient air pollutants.

Sample Quantity

For sampling of ambient air quality we use filter paper for the particulate matter and absorbing solution for the gaseous pollutants. One filter paper is used for sampling of one location. 30 ml absorbing solution is used for each gaseous pollutant (NO2, SO2, Ammonia, formaldehyde, Ozone). Besides, for the monitoring of carbon monoxide we use tedlar bags and CO analyzer for the analysis.

Turn-around time

As per CPCB guideline the monitoring duration should be 24 hours for less polluted areas and 8 hours for highly polluted areas. The sample analysis takes 3 to 4 days in the laboratory.

Purpose of testing

It is important to get ambient air quality to fulfill the regulatory requirement of MoEF, CPCB and state pollution control board or DPCC. Moreover it is also required for ISO quality management systems.

How are test results used

MoEF/CPCB has defined limits for each parameter to protect our environment and it should be mandatory for companies and industries to follow the guidelines related to Environment Protection Act 1986.

Major equipment

For the monitoring of ambient air quality we need Sampling Machine Respirable dust sampler, fine particulate sampler and Filter papers. Spectrophotometer, ICP, AAS, GC is used for analysis.

Method Limit

Here is the common guideline defined by CPCB and for some parameters, limit specified for industry type; Particulate matter 10 (100µg/m3)
PM2.5 (60µg/m3)
No2 (80 µg/m3)
So2 (80 µg/m3)
Ammonia( 400 µg/m3)
Formaldehyde(0.5 µg/m3)
Ozone (100 µg/m3)
Benzene (5 µg/m3
Benzopyrene 1 ng/m3
Lead 1 µg/m3
Arsenic 06 ng/m3,
Nickel 20ng/m3,
CO (4µg/m3)