Any substance that alters the natural properties of the atmosphere, whether chemical, physical or biological, is considered an air pollutant. Air pollution can occur indoors or outdoors. It increases the likelihood of getting respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer.
Short- and long-term exposure to air pollutants has been linked to adverse health effects. People who are already ill face more serious consequences. Children, the elderly and the poor are more susceptible. Breathing clean air can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases like asthma. Lower air pollution is better for both long-term and short-term heart and respiratory health.
Under the National Program for Electronics and ICT Applications in Agriculture and Environment (AgriEnIcs), the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata, in cooperation with TeXMIN, ISM, Dhanbad, has developed an outdoor air quality monitoring station Monitoring environmental pollutants such as PM 1.0, PM 2.5, PM 10.0, Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Oxygen (O2), Ambient Temperature, Relative Humidity, etc. for continuous air quality analysis the environment, according to the ministry’s statement.
The secretary launched the air quality monitoring system on Tuesday (January 17).
According to a ministry statement, the air quality monitoring system technology (AI-AQMS v1.0) has also been handed over to the selected company JM EnviroLab for further commercialization and use in various mines and the cement industry.
The Technology Transfer (ToT) took place in MeitY, New Delhi, where Deepa Taneja, CEO of JM EnviroLab, and Debasis Mazumdar, Senior Director and Center Head of C-DAC, Kolkata, signed the ToT agreement.
Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator, MeitY, and Naveen Kumar Vidyarthi, Director (IT), MoEFCC, among others, were present when the document was signed.
First published on: January 19, 2023 10:22 AM IST