An Analytical Study on Air Quality of Some Historical and Cultural Cities in Uttar Pradesh (India) with Special Reference to the Environment and Human Health

: The rapid urbanization, different construction works and deforestation recently increased in some famous historical,cultural and religious cities in Uttar Pradesh due to higher population pressure. Thousands of pilgrims visit these cities every year by motor and other vehicles.The motor vehicle exhaust also plays a vital role to enhance the toxic gases and aerosol in the environment.Many toxic particles,molecules,toxic gasses, chemicals, dust particles, vehicle exhausts and microorganisms also help to increase deterioration in air quality. Some factors like particulate matter, sulphur di oxide,nitrogen oxide, carbon mono oxide, carbon di oxide in higher concentrations directly affect and change the air texture as well as air quality.Higher concentrations of these substancesare very injurious to the environment as well as living being including human.In present investigation a comparative study is done in between the residential and industrial/commercial area of five famous historical, cultural religious citiesof Uttar Pradesh i.e. Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mathura, Gorakhpur and Ayodhya.Four air quality parameters i.e., air quality index (AQI), SO2, NO2 and PM10 average annual concentrations have been taken for this analytical study.AQI (Air quality index)was found 2 to 4 times higher in residential area while 3-6 times higher in industrial/commercial area in comparison to normal AQI value

affects human health adversely. TERI, 2015 report on emission shows that industrial combustion contributes 49% of the PM10 emissions followed by residential sector (31%) and open burning in India. Karagulian et al., 2015 reported that percentage contribution of different anthropogenic sources shows that traffic or automobiles contributed 34% and 37% in PM10 and PM2.5 pollution load, respectively. Particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of <10 μm is released into the atmosphere along with potential toxic elements (PET) from brake wear, which includes brake lining and disc abrasion caused by grinding, volatilization and condensation of brake pad material (Garg et al., 2000;Varrica et al., 2013;Wahlin et al., 2006). 31 % of NO2 emissions are contributed by transport sector in the country, followed by power sector and industries. Several studies suggested that pollutants affect the air quality. Parmar et al., 2001 observed that gaseous pollutants as well aerosols contribute to deteriorate the air quality. According to WHO air quality data base, about 99% of global population breathe air that exceeds from recommended air quality limit and causes over 6.5 million deaths every year globally. Around 400-550 thousand premature deaths are because of indoor air Green Growth and Air pollution in India (Dey et al., 2012;Smith, 2000). Air pollution directly affect economic growth of states. Lim et al., (2012) studied effect of ambient air pollution on mortality. Sajith et.al., 2022 studied the association between air pollution attributed disease burden (APADB) with gross state domestic product (GSDP) and the growth in the number of registered motor vehicles in India during 2011 to 2019 and found that APADB inversely correlated with GSDP in most of the state. Major sources of air pollution from residential sector in India are due to use of biomass in cooking and kerosene for lighting. Kumar, M. (2022) has studied that PM10, SO2, NO2 and AQI of some cities of Uttar Pradesh adversely affects the human health and environment. There is increasing number of health issues such as acute respiratory infections (ARI), chronic pulmonary diseases (COPD), asthma, heart diseases, cataract, pneumonia, low birth weight, and tuberculosis all due to indoor air pollution (UNICEF, 2013). Ren et.al., (2021) studied the effect of SO2 pollution on house hold purchases of commercial health insurance. They found that there is a positive association with tendency of residents to participate in commercial health insurance. Vallero (2007) reported that the human health effects of poor air quality are far reaching. Poor air quality mainly affects the respiratory systems and the cardiovascular systems. Individual reaction to air pollutants depends on the types of pollutant a person is exposed to the degree of exposure. Allen et al., (2016) reported that air pollution increases the risk of dementia in people over 50 years. Savio et.al., (2022) reported that maximum, PM10 (57.13-1225.53 µg/m3), total suspended particulates (77.77-1410.27 µg/m3) and CO2 (332.4-655.0 ppm) found during heavy traffic conditions in Srinagar (Kashmir). They also concluded that the pollution load was observed to be maximum during winter season followed by autumn, summer and spring.

Materials and methods:
The present investigation is carried out to study the pollutants which adversely affect the air quality of residential as well as commercial /industrial area.The present investigation carried out in five historical, culturally rich and prestigious cities Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mathura, Gorakhpur and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state of India. The Air Quality data of year 2022 (January to December) is collected from official website of Uttar Pradesh pollution control board (UPPCB) and the following parameters are taken for the study. 1 Among all the cities/area month wise maximum (57.51 microgram/m3) SO 2 concentration was recorded in Geeda industrial area of Gorakhpur during January 2022 while in residential area maximum SO 2 concentration (37.56 microgramme/m3) recorded also during January 2022.The minimumconcentration of SO2 was found 4.73 (microgramme/m3)in EMEC area (residential) ofGorakhpurduringSeptember 2022.The annual average of SO 2 concentration was found below the normal value in EMEC Gorakhpur throughout the year 2022.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) :
Nitrogen dioxide is an intermediate gas produced during synthesis of nitric acid and millions tone of NO 2 produced each year. This gas primarily used in the production of fertilizers. The data from table 07& 8 and figure3,5&6 shows that average annual concentration of NO 2 found almost within normal limit in residential area of all studied cities. Perusal of data from table 07 shows that the highest annual average of NO2 concentration (11.36 microgram/m 3 ) recorded in residential area of Mathura (regional office building) which is slightly higher than normal value (10 microgram/m 3 ). Perusal of data from table 08 shows that the highest annual average concentration of NO 2 found 33.44 microgram/m3 in Gida industrial area of Gorakhpur in comparison to normal value (10microgram/m 3 ). In rest of the cities NO 2 concentration was found below the normal value throughout the year 2022.

PM 10 (Particle 10 micrometres):
Findings on PM10 concentration of studied cities presented in table (9 &10) and figure (4,5&6). The findings of data from residential area (                 Comparative annual average values of AQI, NO2, SO2 and PM10 in commercial/industrial areas

CONCLUSION:
Air Quality index of any living area is very important for health, any change in air quality adversely affects human health. According to air quality guidelines (2021) AQI range, 0-50 good for health. AQI above from normal limit causes so many health issues in children as well as adults. Exposure to polluted air can lead to reduce lung function, respiratory problems and asthma. The data of this investigation shows that AQI of all the areas of studied cities found higher than normal range. Annual average value of AQI in residential area of Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya was found 166.40,162.82 and 158.73 microgram/m3 which is unhealthy for all sensitive age groups people. The commercial/industrial area of these cities found highly polluted. The highest AQI annual average recorded 313.36 microgram/m3 in Geeda (Gorakhpur). Geeda area of Gorakhpur found highly polluted area among all the cities and its air quality found very poor. Exposure of such air can cause several lung diseases, breathing discomfort and asthma in children as well as adults. AQI of rest of the cities found about 150 which is unhealthy to all age group people.
The perusal of data from this investigation shows that annual average of SO 2 slightly higher in residential areas of Varanasi and Prayagraj while in commercial area it was found above the normal value in almost all the cities. The highest SO2 concentration recorded in Geeda (Gorakhpur) it may be due to more than 20 industries located in this area. The main source of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) in atmosphere of concerned cities is due to burning of fossil fuels (coal and petroleum), smelting of sulphur containing mineral ores, fertilizer, aluminium, steel manufacturing units. Higher concentration of sulphur dioxide irritates the respiratory tract and increases the risk of respiratory tract infections. It may cause coughing, mucus secretion and aggravates asthma and chronic bronchitis. Sulphur dioxide reacts with water and air and produce sulphuric acid.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) is highly reactive gaseous pollutant. Nitrogen dioxide gas are produced in atmosphere due to various natural and human activities. Natural factors like lightening, forest fires and volcanic explosion are main natural sources of NO 2 emissions.Petroleum matter combustion, power plants, industrial emissions, smoking, kerosine and gas stoves etc. are manmade activities which significantly increase atmospheric NO 2 level. The data from table 07 &08 shows that average annual concentration of NO2 recorded 33.44 microgram/m3 is recorded in Geeda industrial area of Gorakhpur in comparison to normal value 10 microgram/m3. It may be due to more than 20 industries located in this area. High concentration of NO2 may cause several health issues and acid rain. In other studied cities/areas annual average NO2 concentration recorded almost within normal concentration. Nitrogen dioxide reacts with moisture and ammonia which produce small particles. These small particles can penetrate in respiratory tract and adversely effects on respiratory system. Short term exposure of NO2 causes cardiovascular and respiratory problems and increases death risk. Prolonged exposure in higher concentration of NO2 can develop asthma and increase respiratory infections. The annual average concentration of NO2 above normal limit can be dangerous to human health. Nitrogen oxide reacts with moisture and transforms into nitric acid which precipitate in the form of acid rain on vegetation, soil and may cause the acidification of soils and water bodies in affected areas. Particulate matter (PM10) is a composition of small droplets of liquid, dry solid fragments, and solid cores with liquid coatings. Its particles are varied in size, shape and chemical composition. They also contain inorganic ions, metallic compounds, elemental carbon, organic compounds, and earth's crust. Dust of construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, waste burning ash, industrial by products, pollen grains and fragments of bacteria etc also a good source of PM10. Perusal from table 09 & 10 shows that PM 10 concentration found 8 to 23 time higher in comparison to normal value (15 microgram/m3) studied cities. It may be due to several road construction work and vehicular emissions in residential area of Varanasi & Prayagraj. There are several industries like Gallant, Trident steel Aazam Rubbers, India Glycols etc Industries located in Geeda (Gorakhpur) these industries play a positive role to increase PM 10 concentration in this region. The increased concentration of PM10 can causes many health issues (breathing discomfort, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma), low visibility and soiling of material surface. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report (2015) concluded that particulate matter in outdoor air causes lung cancer. Various studies in relation to health indicate that exposure to higher concentration of PM10 increases problem in people suffering from chronic heart or lung disease, children and asthmatic groups.Particulate matter (PM) has been shown in many scientific studies that it adversely affects climate as well as ecosystems. The ambient PM10 mixture with black carbon increase climate temperature (warming) while nitrates and sulphates have cooling effect hence decrease climate temperature. Abrupt change in temperature (warming and cooling) adversely affects various ecosystems. The adverse effects of the above pollutants can be reduced by implementing some precautionary efforts in all studies cities/areas. The production of BS-II to IV standard vehicle should be immediately stopped and all car or motor bike industries should be starting the production of only BS-VI vehicle. Old vehicles should be gradually phased out with proper scrapping mechanism. A gradual shift from road to rail should be followed in Indian scenario. Electric mobility and use of electric vehicles should be promoted. The production and use of biofuels should be promoted to reduce the emission level. Instalment of APCEs in all industrial units should be made compulsory for all the industries.Air pollution control equipment (APCE) should be enforced for each brick kiln unit and its efficiency should be monitored on regular intervals. ESPs are installed in all the industries to reduce the particulate matter and carbon. Use of LPG for cooking, improved biomass based challahs with higher efficiencies and lower emissions should be promote. Reduction in the number of trips by using own car, avoiding burning leaves, trash,& other materials and avoid petrol or diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment can reduce the pollutant label of these cities/areas.