APPRAISAL OF THE AMBIENT AIR QUALITY THROUGH AIR QUALITY INDEX MAPPING (AQIM) IN A RESIDENTIAL AREASAHANA R., PRAVEEN KUMAR G.B. AND SURESH B.Abstract The Air Quality Index (AQI) serves as a valuable tool for appraising the current state of air quality. In recent years, global concerns have arisen regarding the adverse health effects resulting from deteriorating air quality, primarily stemming from extensive industrialization and urban development. To gauge the AQI, a comprehensive evaluation of air quality in Residential area was conducted, utilizing a synergistic assessment of five key pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NOx and SO2. Continuous monitoring of ambient air quality was conducted from January 2023 to June 2023 at three distinct locations, with a 24-hour sampling duration. The AQI was computed using the NAAQS procedure. The highest PM10 concentration was observed in close proximity to the highway in RSL. The findings reveal that pollutant levels exceeded permissible limits, leading to a pronounced AQI within the severe air pollution range. Specifically, the NAAQS values observed for a period of six months, during the investigation period consistently exceeded a rating of 75, indicating, that primary culprits for the elevated pollution levels in the local atmosphere are maintenance of roads, automobile emissions and transportation activities. Highlights ⢠A comprehensive evaluation of ambient air quality in the residential area was conducted by considering the synergistic effects of five pollutants. ⢠The assessment involved the observation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) values during the investigative period spanning from January 2023 to June 2023. |