What is air quality monitoring and why is it important ?
Air quality monitoring is crucial for public health, environmental protection, and socio-economic decision making. It involves measuring pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone to assess their impact on human health, the environment, and society. Poor air quality can cause respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, nervous system disorders, developmental issues in children, and increase cancer risks. It also contributes to acid rain, ozone depletion, habitat destruction, and global warming. Socio-economically, poor air quality leads to increased healthcare costs, lost work days, reduced tourism, and lower property values. Air quality monitoring data helps individuals make informed decisions, governments create regulations, and influence public policy.