Identification of Threat to Air Quality in a Tropical Coastal Region, Kerala, India

Air pollution and its adverse impacts are one of the greatest problems faced by mankind. The study was conducted to assess the threat to air quality in a tropical region. The diurnal variation of particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5), SO2, NO2, NOx, NO, CO, ozone, and ammonia in ambient air of the coastal city, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India has been assessed. Factor analysis was conducted to identify the critical factors affecting the air quality. The study reveals that the concentration of carbon monoxide, PM10, and PM2.5 is nearing to the limiting standards. Hence, immediate attention should be taken for the reduction of these parameters. Ozone pollution factor, Aerosol pollution factor, and Ammonia pollution factors are the critical factors controlling the ambient air quality in a tropical region.