Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Laboratory
As a part of NAAMP (National Ambient Air Monitoring Project), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (M.P.C.B.) carries out monitoring of air quality all over Maharashtra. With new policy of M. P. C. B., they have started outsourcing of this activity to colleges in respective area. This helps capacity building in colleges to carry on such projects. In Navi Mumbai Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College has been selected to carry out Ambient Air Quality Monitoring work for M. P. C. B from November 2007. This is Rs. 45 lac contract (period 3 years) for operation and maintenance of 6 Air Monitoring Stations in Navi Mumbai.
Six air monitoring stations in Navi Mumbai are located at Airoli, Mahape, Nerul, Kharghar, Panvel, and Taloja. At these stations M. P. C. B. has installed air samplers. We monitor NOx, SO2, Respirable and Non-respirable Particulate Matter as parameters for air quality. Our college carries out sampling of air at these stations for 24 hours a day. These samples are further analyzed by our laboratory. Reports are sent to M. P. C. B. by email. College has recruited 6 students for air sampling work on field and has employed 2 students for analysis work in the laboratory. We have tried to give jobs to our own students who have completed graduation in chemistry. Apart from generating some income for our college, this activity provides temporary jobs to our own students and gives opportunity to staff to learn and contribute to this activity of public interest. Such programmes are going to be useful to college to increase its linkages with other organizations.
