Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Laxmipura Village of Sandur Taluk, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Heavy industrialization and the exploitation of natural resources have created ambient air quality as an important environmental and public health issue in mining-intensive areas. This study assesses the ambient air quality of the village Laxmipura situated in Sandur Taluk, Ballari District of Karnataka which is greatly affected by the long-term open cast iron ore mines. Key pollutants which are typically associated with mining operations and vehicular emissions are particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NO2). The study combines field observations, environmental data and secondary data from mining reports and environmental management documents. Post monsoon monitoring in 2011 shows that particulate matter is the primary pollutant, mainly resulting from the continuous mining process including blasting, crushing, ore transportation and continuous dust from dusty materials, etc. Although the PM level was high, the rest of the pollutants monitored was not high enough to break the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The Air Quality Index (AQI) was formatted using the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) IND-AQI model, which has been rated as “Good” with minimal health risks in the near term. But the contribution of chronic exposure to particulate pollution can't be ignored. The results highlight the critical need for ongoing air quality monitoring, enforcement of regulations, and the development of sustainable mitigation measures to safeguard the environment and public health in mining areas for the future.

KEYWORDS: Ambient air quality, Iron ore mining, PM10, PM2.5, Sandur.