Air Quality Parameter
Full Form of AQP
What is AQP?
Air Quality Parameter (AQP) refers to a measurable indicator used to assess the level of air pollution in a given environment. Common AQPs include concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), and ammonia (NH₃). In India, AQPs are monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution boards through a network of over 700 stations. The data is used to compute the National Air Quality Index (NAQI), which informs the public about the health risks of ambient air. AQPs are critical for policy-making, especially in cities like Delhi, where winter inversion often leads to hazardous readings. They are applied in environmental impact assessments, urban planning, and public health advisories. For competitive exams like UPSC and state PCS, questions frequently appear on the list of criteria pollutants and their permissible limits under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) revised in 2009. Understanding AQPs helps students grasp the science behind air pollution and its regulatory framework in India.
AQP का फुल फॉर्म
वायु गुणवत्ता पैरामीटर
Example
The CPCB reported that the AQP for PM2.5 in Delhi crossed 250 µg/m³, triggering the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III.