COMMUTERS EXPOSURE TO COMBINED AIR POLLUTANTS–A CASE STUDY IN JHARIA COAL FIELD
Keshav Kumar1, Rajendra Kuamr Patel2, Omprakash Thakare2
ABSTRACT
The SPM and RPM level were found to be highest while moving between CFRI to CMRI which range from 821 to 1381 µg/m3 and 450 to 743 µg/m3 respectively which has the highest traffic density. SOx and NOx level were close to the national ambient air quality standards in between CFRI to CMRI. In between MM to BIT Sindri and mining areas of Jamadoba coalfield, the SOx and NOx levels were minimum in the range of 35-40 µg/m3. The toxic heavy metals like cadmium, lead, arsenic, chromium and nickel were present in higher concentrations in the above stated routes while chromium and nickel were drastically higher (10 to 25 times) than the ambient air level. The overall of the present study in view of all the parameters chosen for study states that the commuters are exposed to higher concentrations for all the pollutants in the study area and the people living nearby road sides are also affected by the higher levels of the above stated parameters.
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