Measurement and modeling of respirable particulate (PM10) and lead pollution over Madurai, India

Samples of particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm (PM10) were collected round the clock duration by using a respirable dust sampler (APM 460 BL) in Madurai, the second largest and most densely populated city of Tamil Nadu, India. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-recommended standard methods were adopted not only for sample collection but also for subsequent analysis of respirable particulate pollutants. The observed PM10 concentrations varied from 88.1 to 226.9 μg/m3, and lead concentrations ranged between 0.21 to 1.18 μg/m3. The annual averages of the concentrations of the pollutants of current concern manifested that they were mostly below the Indian air quality standards and were generally comparable with those concentrations observed in most other Indian urban areas. The AERMOD model was validated simultaneously by comparing the predicted levels with the estimated levels of PM10. The generated database of the present investigation on the degree of pollution may be used for further research investigation and pollution abatement in the city.