Ambient air pollutant monitoring and analysis protocol for low and middle income countries: An element of comprehensive urban air quality management framework

Rapid urbanization along with industrial growth is one of the major causes of elevated air pollution levels in urban areas of low and middle income countries (LMICs). They are further associated with adverse health impacts within urban ecosystems. In order to manage and control deteriorating urban air quality, an efficient and effective urban air quality management plan is required consisting of systematic sampling, monitoring and analysis; modelling; and control protocols. Air quality monitoring is the essential and basic step that develops foundation of any management plan. The present research article describes a comprehensive methodology for establishing a systematic and robust air quality monitoring network in LMICs and strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of urban air quality management frameworks. It also describes step-by-step procedures for chemical characterization of both organic and inorganic constituents of ambient particulate matter along with molecular markers, which are essential to identify the corresponding sources of particulate matter, an integral part of air pollution monitoring protocol. Additionally, it discusses the need for coupling low cost wireless sensor-based stations with a limited number of manual and conventional real time ambient air monitoring stations in order to make it cost effective, yet robust. The article demonstrates that satellite-based remote sensing monitoring calibrated with ground level measurement has the potential for regional scale air quality monitoring that captures transport of transboundary pollution.