A. BHASKARAN, T. SENTHILANTHAN, N. MANI AND R.D. RAJAN
Abstract
Suspended particles of size greater than-10 t have been identified as critical pollutant causing potential health hazard for human beings. A study was carried out to assess the Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM-greater than 10 [t size) concentration present in the ambient air in Chennai Metropolitan City between 1998 and 2000. The study was conducted at five sampling stations across the city. Data collected have been analysed uisng statistical techniques to study the variations in air quality in the city during the period from 1998 to 2000. The data collected where subjected to Pearson correlation test at 5% significance level and Non parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test. The collected data. were found to fit into cubic polynomial. The analysis of data reveals that there is significant decrease in concentration of primary air pollutants in the ambient air of the city. Though the level of SPM concentration decreases, its annual mean lies above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) values.