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
BECAUSE
IT 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 p
ast? Human caused climate change: the greenhouse effect. Have we changed the cli
mate? What will the future climate look like? How will climate change affect peo
ple?
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 (Greenhous
e Internal Wiggles (for example El Nino)

effect)

Some cause bigger changes, some cause small changes Some cause slower changes, s
ome 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. (greenhou
se effect).

The Greenhouse Effect

Human influence on climate: the greenhouse effect

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas Human burning of fossil fuels, an
d 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 s
top 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 i
n droughts in some places Increase in intense rain in some places
US Geological Survey
How will climate change affect people?
Understanding: Low
Everywhere: How will humans react Surprise changes
Definition
WHOs Working Committee defines the air pollution as limited to the situations in
which the outdoor ambient atmosphere contains materials in such concentrations w
hich 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 c
oncentration as may be or tend to be injurious to human beings or other living c
reatures or plants or property or environment.
Major Sources of Air Pollution in Meghalaya
Sources of air pollution in Meghalaya can be classified as NATURAL SOURCES and A
NTHROPOGENIC (MANMADE) SOURCES
Natural sources
windblown
dust ozone from lighting and ozone layer esters and terpenes from vegetation smo
ke, gases and fly ash from forest fires pollens and other aeroallergens gases an
d odors from natural decomposition and natural radioactivity This source constit
utes 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) c
ultivation Solid waste disposal and refuse burning Domestic fuel burning Surface
heating (in winter) Infrastructure developmental activities Other non-point act
ivities
Vehicular emissions
Vehicular
emissions are the major source of air pollution in Meghalaya particularly in urb
an areas and along the highways The problems gets magnified as this is a main so
urce 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 Ro
peways 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), hyd
rocarbons (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 person
s). This together with the floating vehicle population further aggravates the pr
oblem of air pollution (in urban areas and along highways). Studies conducted by
the MSPCB indicates that more than 50% vehicles emit pollutants beyond permissi
ble limits. Studies regarding the total pollution load emitted by the vehicular
emissions and health implications of the same on the residents of urban areas an
d 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, fe
rro alloy, stone crushing, stone grinding and polishing, flour mills, bakeries,
fruit preservation etc. These industries are mostly located in Ri Bhoi, East Kha
si 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), e
tc. Siting of industry is very important from pollution dispersion point of view
Mixing height determination and air shed characteristics are critical parameter
s 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 incl
ude jaintia hills, east khasi hills and garo hills. The major pollutants emitted
from mining operations include suspended particulate matters (SPM) and respirab
le 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 ope
rations. The State can also consider preparation of Regional Environment Impact
Assessment (REIAs) and Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs) as envisa
ged 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 Miner
al Resource Department. Revenue for preparation of REIA and REMP may be collecte
d from the coal miners of the concerned areas.
 Shifting
(jhum) cultivation, solid waste disposal and refuse burning, domestic fuel burni
ng, surface heating (in winter), infrastructure developmental activities and oth
er non-point activities are such sources of air pollution for which studies to a
ssess 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 ox
ide (SO2) only are available Sources of these data are various reports of Meghal
aya SPCB and NBRI, Lucknow Pollution Levels in towns (residential areas), indust
rial and coal mining areas only are included
Air pollution levels in towns (residential areas)
Place Nongthymmai, Shillong Dhankheti, Shillong Barik , Shillong Police Bazar, S
hillong 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 D
arugiri, EGH Williamnagar, EGH SPM (g/m3) SO2 (g/m3) NOX (g/m3) 128.6 143.2 104.9 1
47.5 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 Hall
ydyganj, 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 Kom
orrah Limestone mine 185.1 465.0 140.4
Mowroh Industrial Estate, 63.5 Shillong EPIP, Byrnihat 285.5
Air pollution levels in coal mining areas
Place Sutunga Bapung Mookhep Lakadong Jairan Shkentalang Khleiriat Lad Rymbai SP
M (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 effo
rts made by the concerned state agencies. Trends show increasing level of monito
red pollutants in urban, industrial and mining areas. The major problems requiri
ng focused attention are curtailing of vehicular emissions by way of introductio
n of advanced technology vehicles, low sulphur diesel and low benzene petrol, al
ternative 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 b
e 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 Megh
alaya 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 establ
ishment of non-polluting industries in the state be encouraged. Establishment of
a State Natural Resources Planning Board may be considered. With the notificati
on of a new Environmental Impact Assessment notification, 2006, the states are p
rovided with the powers to issue EC to certain category of projects and developm
ental 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 Arom
atic 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 t
he policy makers. The agencies involved in pollution prevention and control in t
he state be properly strengthened for meeting the complex environmental challeng
es arising out due to varied developmental activities.