Question:
The best indicator(s) for monitoring of air pollution is/are
The best indicator(s) for monitoring of air pollution is/are
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Community air quality monitoring classically combines a gaseous pollutant with particulate matter.
Updated On: Jul 7, 2026
- Sulphur dioxide
- Sulphur dioxide and suspended particles
- Oxides of nitrogen and polyaromatic hydrocarbons
- Carbon monoxide
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept.
Monitoring ambient air pollution in a community needs a small set of pollutants that are easy to measure regularly and that together reflect the overall pollution burden well. The question asks which pollutant or combination is used as the standard indicator.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach.
A good monitoring indicator should be common across most sources of air pollution, such as vehicles, industry, and fuel burning, and should be simple and reliable to measure with standard equipment over long periods.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation.
Sulphur dioxide alone, option (A), reflects pollution mainly from burning fuels containing sulfur, such as coal and diesel, but on its own it misses particulate pollution from dust, smoke, and vehicle exhaust.
Sulphur dioxide and suspended particles together, option (B), is the classical combined index used for community air quality monitoring. Sulphur dioxide represents gaseous pollution from combustion, while suspended particulate matter represents solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Measuring both together gives a broader and more representative picture of general air quality in a city or region, which is why this pair became the standard index.
Oxides of nitrogen and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, option (C), are important pollutants linked mainly to vehicle exhaust and combustion byproducts, but they are not the classical standard pair used for routine community level monitoring.
Carbon monoxide alone, option (D), is an important toxic gas from incomplete combustion, but it is usually monitored for specific settings like traffic corridors or enclosed spaces rather than as the general community air quality indicator.
Step 4: Final Answer.
The best indicator for monitoring air pollution is sulphur dioxide together with suspended particles.
Monitoring ambient air pollution in a community needs a small set of pollutants that are easy to measure regularly and that together reflect the overall pollution burden well. The question asks which pollutant or combination is used as the standard indicator.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach.
A good monitoring indicator should be common across most sources of air pollution, such as vehicles, industry, and fuel burning, and should be simple and reliable to measure with standard equipment over long periods.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation.
Sulphur dioxide alone, option (A), reflects pollution mainly from burning fuels containing sulfur, such as coal and diesel, but on its own it misses particulate pollution from dust, smoke, and vehicle exhaust.
Sulphur dioxide and suspended particles together, option (B), is the classical combined index used for community air quality monitoring. Sulphur dioxide represents gaseous pollution from combustion, while suspended particulate matter represents solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Measuring both together gives a broader and more representative picture of general air quality in a city or region, which is why this pair became the standard index.
Oxides of nitrogen and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, option (C), are important pollutants linked mainly to vehicle exhaust and combustion byproducts, but they are not the classical standard pair used for routine community level monitoring.
Carbon monoxide alone, option (D), is an important toxic gas from incomplete combustion, but it is usually monitored for specific settings like traffic corridors or enclosed spaces rather than as the general community air quality indicator.
Step 4: Final Answer.
The best indicator for monitoring air pollution is sulphur dioxide together with suspended particles.
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