The above graphs clearly show the variations in the trend of RSPM levels in the city, changing with the seasons throughout a year. The level of RSPM was observed to follow the same trend every year, in last decade.
The levels of RSPM in the air of Chandigarh were observed to increase with the decrease in temperature, from October to January (winter season).
Further the RSPM count start decreasing with the temperature rise from February to April.
Again the high RSPM count was observed in the months of May June (crop harvesting season)
During the Monsoonal months, July September, the RSPM level remains to the lower limits due to the rainfall activities.
RSPM monitoring in Chandigarh has been performed at five different locations i.e. Industrial area Phase 1, Punjab Engineering College (University of Technology) Sec 11, Commercial complex Sec 17, IMTECH Sec 39 and a village named Kaimbwala.
Due to high industrial and heavy vehicular activities, highest RSPM levels were observed at the monitoring point located at Industrial Area Phase 1 (123.76 avg. / 10 yr) followed by IMTECH Sec 39 (94.89 avg. /10 yr), Chandigarh.
The lowest RSPM level in the city was observed for the Punjab Engineering College (University of Technology) Sec 11 (86.8 avg. /10 yr).
Yearly average of RSPM at Chandigarh (Monitoring point wise)
Comparison with the neighbouring cities of Chandigarh: (average 2014)
Though the average RSPM level of Chandigarh is quite higher (105 µg/m3) than the permissible limits (Annual Avg. 60 µg/m3) given by National Ambient Air Quality Standards of India. But the air of Chandigarh is still in much better conditions as compared to its neighbouring cities. Highly polluted neighbourhood always contributes a lot towards the pollutant levels of city.
Comparison with the major cities of India: (average 2014)-:
The comparison of the RSPM level of Chandigarh with the major cities of India shows that only the coastal cities such as Chennai & Kolkata has the Annual RSPM level lower than that of Chandigarh, whereas the remaining shows very high inclination.