11/08/2026
Those numbers on an AAQMS board aren’t just numbers — they tell us what’s happening in the air around a construction site. 🌿🏗️
An AAQMS (Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System) continuously monitors air pollutants and environmental conditions, helping us understand and manage the impact of construction activity on the surrounding environment.
But what do PM2.5 and PM10 actually mean?
🔹 PM10 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometres or smaller. Construction dust, road dust, soil and other coarse particles are common contributors.
🔹 PM2.5 refers to much finer particles, 2.5 micrometres or smaller, which can remain suspended in the air for longer and pe*****te deeper into the respiratory system.
For context, India's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) specify a 24-hour limit of:
PM10 — 100 µg/m³
PM2.5 — 60 µg/m³
The annual standards are even more stringent:
PM10 — 60 µg/m³
PM2.5 — 40 µg/m³
And that little µg/m³? It simply means micrograms of particulate matter present in one cubic metre of air.
On a construction site, monitoring air quality can help identify rising particulate levels and encourage timely measures such as water sprinkling, dust suppression, covering of materials, proper debris management and maintaining cleaner site access points.
Because responsible construction isn't only about creating better spaces — it's also about being mindful of the environment in which those spaces exist. 🌱
Would you know what the numbers on an AAQMS board mean if you saw one on site? Tell us in the comments.
Save this post for your next site visit & share it with someone who thinks an air-quality board is “just another display”! 👀
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