proposed integrated complex for delhi judicial academy

proposed integrated complex for delhi judicial academy proposed integrated complex for delhi judicial academy

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23.04.2015 Views

Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA) Study for Proposed Integrated Complex for Delhi Judicial Academy, National Law School, and National Institute for Mediation & Conciliation at Dwarka, New Delhi The quality of ambient air depends upon the background concentration of specific pollutants, the sources of emission and meteorological conditions. The baseline studies on air environment include identification of specific air pollution parameters and assessing their existing levels in ambient air. 4.5.1 Ambient Air Quality Scenario in Delhi The air quality information on air quality statistics from the various urban areas in the country, generated from the NAMP network is compiled and published regularly by the CPCB. The air quality parameters regularly monitored nationwide are SPM (8 hourly for 24 hours), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) (4 hourly for 24 hours), while additional parameters like carbon monoxide (CO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), ozone, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), benzene and trace metals are additionally monitored in Delhi and some other cities, but not in all the cities. The annual ambient air quality data of CPCB for the years 1995 and 2002 has been studied and comparison of data for the respective years has been made to establish trends in the air quality of these years for Delhi area. Delhi, in terms of air pollution, was ranked fourth among the 41 most polluted cities in the world, in the 90’s. The annual average levels of suspended particulate matter increased to 450 µg/m 3 during 1996, which is nearly three times the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 140 µg / m 3 for residential areas as notified by the Ministry of Environment, Govt. of India. During this period, the annual average levels of CO also increased to 5587 µg/m 3 as against the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 2000 µg / m 3 for the residential areas. Vehicles, thermal power plants and large as well as small-scale industrial units in Delhi were the major sources of these pollutants. Though Delhi remains a polluted city, there is not much of chemical pollution. The period from 1989 to 1996 saw a rapid increase in pollution levels. The Year 1996 may be considered as the peak year. But in the wake of use of CNG as an alternate fuel, the contribution of vehicular sector towards air pollution has been reduced in the subsequent years. This is also supported by the fact that there is a significant improvement in the air quality. The best place to witness this change is the busy ITO traffic intersection, where toxic fumes no longer irritate the eyes as earlier. Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Lead and Sulphur Dioxide levels have all shown a declining trend. The annual average of 42 µg / m 3 of Sulphur Dioxide in the year 1996 came down to as much as 18 µg / m 3 during 2002 at ITO Intersection, whereas NO2 came down from 75 µg / m 3 in 1996 to 59 µg / m 3 in 2002. Further, there has been a marked decline in the annual Lead levels after introduction of unleaded petrol in 1998. Also, the results show a significant improvement in the overall air quality of the city. The concentration of Carbon Monoxide has fallen by 32 per cent; Sulphur Dioxide levels have fallen by 39 per cent in 2002 as compared to 1997. The concentration of other pollutants like Lead and Benzene has also registered a marked decline. 56

Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA) Study for Proposed Integrated Complex for Delhi Judicial Academy, National Law School, and National Institute for Mediation & Conciliation at Dwarka, New Delhi Despite the phenomenal growth in vehicular population, the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide have remained more or less constant, this can be attributed to the phasing out of old commercial vehicles and implementation of Euro-I and subsequently Euro-II norms for petrol and diesel driven private vehicles. The main fuels used in vehicles are petrol, diesel and CNG Gas. The main pollutants that come out from the exhaust tail of vehicular engines are: - Carbon dioxide - Carbon monoxides - Oxides of Nitrogen - Oxides of Sulphur - Hydrocarbon, and - Particulate Matter In addition to above pollutants, unburnt products like aldehydes, formaldehydes, acrolein, acetaldehyde and smoke would also be emitted from petrol and diesel operated vehicles. The concentration of these pollutants in the engine exhaust varies with the type of engine namely, spark ignition (petrol engine) or compression ignition (diesel engine) two stroke or four stroke engines; and also mode of engine operation. Table 4.2 gives the emission factor of various major pollutants from petrol (SI), diesel (CI) and CNG engines. Diesel exhaust concentration of hydrocarbons is more than that of SI engine exhaust. Carbon monoxide concentrations in diesel engine exhaust is negligible to that of SI engines. Concentration of oxides of nitrogen is more in diesel exhaust. Thus diesel engine exhaust contains lower concentrations of harmful pollutants like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and therefore, it is less hazardous. Table 4.3 summarises the comparative emissions from CNG and Diesel engines. From this table it could be concluded that CO, NOx and PM are about 45 to 300% higher in diesel vehicles than CNG vehicles. Sulphur Dioxide The oxides of sulphur (SOx) occur in ambient air to a large extent as primary specific pollutants in the form of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphur trioxide(SO3) under ambient conditions. It has been observed that the percentage of SO2 existing in ambient air may be more than 95 percent, while the remaining 5 per cent or less of SOx may be in the form of sulphur trioxide. The major atmospheric man-made sources of SO2 are burning of fossil fuels in stationary combustion and industrial processes, viz. petroleum, chemical, metallurgical and mineral industries, domestic emissions and fires, while the natural sources are volcanoes, geothermal activity, bacterial decomposition of organic matter, forest fires, etc. These sources are described in the Figure 4.3. 57

Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA) Study <strong>for</strong> Proposed Integrated Complex <strong>for</strong> Delhi Judicial Academy,<br />

National Law School, and National Institute <strong>for</strong> Mediation & Conciliation at Dwarka, New Delhi<br />

Despite the phenomenal growth in vehicular population, the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide have<br />

remained more or less constant, this can be attributed to the phasing out of old commercial vehicles<br />

and implementation of Euro-I and subsequently Euro-II norms <strong>for</strong> petrol and diesel driven private<br />

vehicles.<br />

The main fuels used in vehicles are petrol, diesel and CNG Gas. The main pollutants that come out<br />

from the exhaust tail of vehicular engines are:<br />

- Carbon dioxide<br />

- Carbon monoxides<br />

- Oxides of Nitrogen<br />

- Oxides of Sulphur<br />

- Hydrocarbon, and<br />

- Particulate Matter<br />

In addition to above pollutants, unburnt products like aldehydes, <strong>for</strong>maldehydes, acrolein,<br />

acetaldehyde and smoke would also be emitted from petrol and diesel operated vehicles. The<br />

concentration of these pollutants in the engine exhaust varies with the type of engine namely, spark<br />

ignition (petrol engine) or compression ignition (diesel engine) two stroke or four stroke engines;<br />

and also mode of engine operation. Table 4.2 gives the emission factor of various major pollutants<br />

from petrol (SI), diesel (CI) and CNG engines.<br />

Diesel exhaust concentration of hydrocarbons is more than that of SI engine exhaust. Carbon<br />

monoxide concentrations in diesel engine exhaust is negligible to that of SI engines. Concentration<br />

of oxides of nitrogen is more in diesel exhaust. Thus diesel engine exhaust contains lower<br />

concentrations of harmful pollutants like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and there<strong>for</strong>e, it is less<br />

hazardous. Table 4.3 summarises the comparative emissions from CNG and Diesel engines. From<br />

this table it could be concluded that CO, NOx and PM are about 45 to 300% higher in diesel<br />

vehicles than CNG vehicles.<br />

Sulphur Dioxide<br />

The oxides of sulphur (SOx) occur in ambient air to a large extent as primary specific pollutants in<br />

the <strong>for</strong>m of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphur trioxide(SO3) under ambient conditions. It has been<br />

observed that the percentage of SO2 existing in ambient air may be more than 95 percent, while the<br />

remaining 5 per cent or less of SOx may be in the <strong>for</strong>m of sulphur trioxide. The major atmospheric<br />

man-made sources of SO2 are burning of fossil fuels in stationary combustion and industrial<br />

processes, viz. petroleum, chemical, metallurgical and mineral industries, domestic emissions and<br />

fires, while the natural sources are volcanoes, geothermal activity, bacterial decomposition of<br />

organic matter, <strong>for</strong>est fires, etc. These sources are described in the Figure 4.3.<br />

57

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