Air Pollution in Meghalaya

Dr. S. C. Katiyar Ministry of Environment & Forests Northeastern Regional Office Shillong

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2008

Kick the Habit!Towards a Low Carbon Economy

BECAUSEIT IS NOW A RECOGNISED FACT WORLD OVER THAT

CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING

What is climate? What makes the climate change? How has climate changed in the past? Human caused climate change: the greenhouse effect. Have we changed the climate? What will the future climate look like? How will climate change affect people?

What is climate?

Climate is an average of weather (Temperature, Rainfall...) over a long time (more than 2-3 weeks).

Weather and Climate

weather

climate (average min/max)

What makes climate change?

Changes in the sun Changes in the earth's orbit Changes in the clouds Changes in ice sheets Volcanic eruptions Changes in the gases in the atmosphere (Greenhouse Internal Wiggles (for example El Nino)

effect)

Some cause bigger changes, some cause small changes Some cause slower changes, some cause fast changes Some cause changes that last, some cause changes that go away fast

How has climate changed in the past?Ice Ages Big swings in climate over 100,000 yrs Occurred over last million years Advance and retreat of ice sheets We are in between ice ages right now

21 thousand years ago

Now

Human-Forced Climate Change

Climate changes can be natural or human caused.

Humans can affect the climate by changing the gases in the atmosphere. (greenhouse effect).

The Greenhouse Effect

Human influence on climate: the greenhouse effect

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas Human burning of fossil fuels, and plants releases CO2

Have we changed the climate?Changes in global temperature over the last 125 years

Have we changed the climate?Changes in global temperature over the last 1,000 years

Have we changed the climate?Everywhere (almost) is warming!

Have we changed the climate?Glaciers are retreating all over the world

1928

The South Cascade glacier retreated dramatically in the 20th century

Courtesy of the USGS glacier group

2000

What will the future climate look like?

Global warming due to greenhouse gases will continue for many years even if we stop releasing CO2

How much warming occurs depends on what societies and businesses We use climate models to predict what might happen in different cases

decide about how much fuel they burn

What will the future climate look like?

IPCC (www.ipcc.ch)

How will climate change affect people?Understanding: Good

Everywhere: Sea-level rise Ecosystem change effect on species effect on farming Melting of polar ice effect on shipping effect on wildlife Coral death

How will climate change affect people?Understanding: Medium Everywhere: Increase in intensity of hurricanes Increase in droughts in some places Increase in intense rain in some places

US Geological Survey

How will climate change affect people?Understanding: LowEverywhere: How will humans react Surprise changes

DefinitionWHOs Working Committee defines the air pollution as limited to the situations in which the outdoor ambient atmosphere contains materials in such concentrations which are harmful to man and his environment.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (CPCB, 199 ) defines air pollution as the presence in the atmosphere of any air pollutant, which in tern is defined as solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in atmosphere in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to human beings or other living creatures or plants or property or environment.

Major Sources of Air Pollution in MeghalayaSources of air pollution in Meghalaya can be classified as NATURAL SOURCES and ANTHROPOGENIC (MANMADE) SOURCES

Natural sources windblown

dust ozone from lighting and ozone layer esters and terpenes from vegetation smoke, gases and fly ash from forest fires pollens and other aeroallergens gases and odors from natural decomposition and natural radioactivity This source constitutes background pollution concentrations and control strategies have very little or no impact on such problems.

Anthropogenic (Manmade) Sources Vehicular

emissions Industrial emissions Mining and quarrying operations Shifting (jhum) cultivation Solid waste disposal and refuse burning Domestic fuel burning Surface heating (in winter) Infrastructure developmental activities Other non-point activities

Vehicular emissions Vehicular

emissions are the major source of air pollution in Meghalaya particularly in urban areas and along the highways The problems gets magnified as this is a main source of transportation in state since rail and water ways are not available. Air connectivity in the state is also poor and concept of transportation through Ropeways has yet to creep in.

The

major pollutants emitted from the vehicles include suspended particulate matters (SPM), respirable suspended particulate matters (RSPM i.e. PM10 & PM2.5)), soot, oxides of nitrogen (NOX), oxides of sulphur (SOX), carbon mono oxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and plynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), benzene etc. Some of these pollutants are known CARCINOGENS

Presently,

per capita vehicle in the state ranks 4th in the country (1 vehicle per 8 persons). This together with the floating vehicle population further aggravates the problem of air pollution (in urban areas and along highways). Studies conducted by the MSPCB indicates that more than 50% vehicles emit pollutants beyond permissible limits. Studies regarding the total pollution load emitted by the vehicular emissions and health implications of the same on the residents of urban areas and along highways has yet to be taken up in the state

Industrial emissions

Mostly air and water and air polluting industries have been set up in the state. The air polluting industries include cement plants, lime kilns, brick kilns, ferro alloy, stone crushing, stone grinding and polishing, flour mills, bakeries, fruit preservation etc. These industries are mostly located in Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills districts. Some industries are located in Garo hills also. The major pollutants emitted from industries include suspended particulate matters (SPM), respirable suspended particulate matters (RSPM i.e. PM10 & PM2.5)), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), oxides of sulphur (SOX), carbon mono oxide (CO), etc. Siting of industry is very important from pollution dispersion point of view Mixing height determination and air shed characteristics are critical parameters for identification of an ideal site for an air polluting industry

Mining and quarrying operations

Haphazard and unscientific mining activities mostly of coal and lime stone have already spread in almost all districts of the state but most badly affected include jaintia hills, east khasi hills and garo hills. The major pollutants emitted from mining operations include suspended particulate matters (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matters (RSPM i.e. PM10 & PM2.5). Associated activities emit pollutants like oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and oxides of sulphur (SOX), etc.

Mining Policy of the state is likely to be announced shortly which will help in curbing the problem of environmental degradation due to mining and quarrying operations. The State can also consider preparation of Regional Environment Impact Assessment (REIAs) and Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs) as envisaged in the National Environment Policy, 2006 Initiative for preparation of REIA and REMP with respect to mining activities in the state may be taken up by Mineral Resource Department. Revenue for preparation of REIA and REMP may be collected from the coal miners of the concerned areas.

Shifting

(jhum) cultivation, solid waste disposal and refuse burning, domestic fuel burning, surface heating (in winter), infrastructure developmental activities and other non-point activities are such sources of air pollution for which studies to assess pollution load have yet to be taken up in the state

Air pollution levels Data

for suspended particulate matters (SPM), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), sulphur di oxide (SO2) only are available Sources of these data are various reports of Meghalaya SPCB and NBRI, Lucknow Pollution Levels in towns (residential areas), industrial and coal mining areas only are included

Air pollution levels in towns (residential areas)Place Nongthymmai, Shillong Dhankheti, Shillong Barik , Shillong Police Bazar, Shillong Barabazar, Shillong Mawlai, Shillong Cherrapunjee (Near hospital) SPM (g/m3) SO2 (g/m3) 347.2 400.6 227.3 259.5 334.9 349.8 41.0 30.6 11.8 10.6 9.2 4.2 19.2 BDL BDL BDL NOX (g/m3) 44.9 42.1 28.1 30.8 37.9 43.2 19.3 41.2 BDL

Cherrapunjee (Near MCC 137.0 guest house) Shella 46.1

Air pollution levels in towns (residential areas)

Place Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi Nongstoin, WKH Tura, GH Baghmara, GH Jowai, Jaintia hills

SPM (g/m3) SO2 (g/m3) NOX (g/m3) 362.3 83.8 59.8 33.7 113.7 7.5 5.5 BDL BDL 32.6 41.2 7.0 67.5 BDL 11.7

Air pollution levels in towns (residential areas)Place Mendipathar. EGH Damas, EGH Bajengdoba, EGH Dainadubi, EGH Rongjeng, EGH Darugiri, EGH Williamnagar, EGH SPM (g/m3) SO2 (g/m3) NOX (g/m3) 128.6 143.2 104.9 147.5 80.1 79.7 86.9 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 3.7 9.2 7.9 6.8 BDL 12.8 7.3

Air pollution levels in towns (residential areas)Place Chokpot, GH Rongra, GH Siju, GH Kherapara, GH Zikzak, GH Selsella, GH Hallydyganj, GH Dadengiri, GH SPM (g/m3) SO2 (g/m3) NOX (g/m3) 115.8 141.4 311.9 159.8 192.5 246.9 274.8 168.9 BDL BDL BDL 21.4 BDL BDL BDL 31.2 8.2 22.3 30.9 12.3 13.2 26.5 14.6 BDL

Air pollution levels in industrial areas

Place

SPM (g/m3)

SO2 (g/m3) BDL BDL 3.6 BDL BDL BDL

NOX (g/m3) BDL 22.3 13.8 19.3 8.9 33.3

RKB premises, Barapani 367.8 IA MIDC, Barapani IA MCC premises, Cherrapunjee Komorrah Limestone mine 185.1 465.0 140.4

Mowroh Industrial Estate, 63.5 Shillong EPIP, Byrnihat 285.5

Air pollution levels in coal mining areasPlace Sutunga Bapung Mookhep Lakadong Jairan Shkentalang Khleiriat Lad Rymbai SPM (g/m3) SO2 (g/m3) NOX (g/m3) 70.3 246.2 396.2 285.0 179.9 198.5 267.5 649.9 21.2 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 37.5 40.5 45.9 29.6 29.0 27.6 45.5 31.2

Suggestions

Air pollution in Meghalaya is fast becoming a major problem in spite of the efforts made by the concerned state agencies. Trends show increasing level of monitored pollutants in urban, industrial and mining areas. The major problems requiring focused attention are curtailing of vehicular emissions by way of introduction of advanced technology vehicles, low sulphur diesel and low benzene petrol, alternative transport systems, better road networking including bye-pass, phasing out of old vehicles, schemes for providing buses etc. to schools, more vigorous implementation of monitoring mechanism etc.

Studies on pollution load by vehicles and its impact on human health, vegetation, infrastructure etc. to be encouraged. Air polluting industrial siting should be based on dispersion and assimilative capacity of the airsheds as wrong siting may subsequently lead to typical situations as witnessed at Barapani industrial area, EPIP and Byrnihat areas. Most of the industries so far established in Meghalaya are air polluting and are mostly mineral based. Since this trend is likely to continue in the future as well early notification of the mineral policy will help in mitigating the environmental concerns .

REIAs and REMPs for areas where mining operations are in progress/ or likely to be in progress be prepared to contain environmental degradation. Scope of establishment of non-polluting industries in the state be encouraged. Establishment of a State Natural Resources Planning Board may be considered. With the notification of a new Environmental Impact Assessment notification, 2006, the states are provided with the powers to issue EC to certain category of projects and developmental activities. This should be utilized as a tool for sustainable development of the state.

Research

works are so far restricted to basic criteria pollutants only like SPM, SO2 and NOX etc. Efforts are required to assess the pollution levels of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), benzene, PM2.5, soot (elemental carbon), and secondary pollutants like per acyl nitrates (PANS), O3 etc. which will act as a tool for the policy makers. The agencies involved in pollution prevention and control in the state be properly strengthened for meeting the complex environmental challenges arising out due to varied developmental activities.