PREFACE

M. P. SINGH

Org~~ng Secretary, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India

Despite considerable progress in science and tech- nology and improvement in the living conditions, the conservation of the environment remains a matter of concern for the developing countries. We have not only to prevent future irreversible damage, but it is also our task to repair the damage that has already occurred. Fast industrial development with- out adequate piarming and rapid traffic growth in big cities are ~ont~butin8 si~i~~dy to the de- terioration of the air quality. The effects of smoke and dust from biomass burning and wind blown soil and sand need careful examination, In many de- veloping countries toxic chemicals and materials, like DDT and asbestos, which are carcinogenic and banned in technologically advanced countries, are still used. The impact of possible future growth in the use of alternative energy sources and improved efficiency of combustion on air pollution deserve closer scrutiny. A careful review is required to set up industrial and residential complexes. In the case of existing chemical industries a~umulating toxic material in densely ~pulated areas, guildelines are required to be drawn out for emergency prepared- ness so as to avoid future ‘Bhopals’. To help in decision-m~ing processes for the siting of indust~al and residential complexes, impact assessment stu- dies, which assess the effect of existing industries by the use of mathematical modelling, are required. In the case of industries containing toxic substances, a zone of influence should be determined in which residential colonies should not be permitted.

The probIems of poltution being encountered in the developing countries, most of which lie in the tropical belt differ in several respects from those encountered in higher latitudes*. To focus attention on on the problems of atmospheric poltntion of the tropical atmosphere, this conference was organized at IIT Delhi in February 1988. It also served to highlight the problems of pollution being faced in the developing countries and to discuss ways and means for evolving an optimal strategy to protect against the further degradation of the environment due to rapid industrialization. The title of the internatiou~ conference - “Tropical Micro- meteorology and Air Pollution” reflected the im-

*See A~os~he~c Environment 22,1247-1250.

721

portance of the meteorology in the behaviour of the pollution. The conference received support from a large number of important international agencies and national arganizations. In all about 180 dele- gates participated in the deliberation of the confer- ence of which about SO came from abroad including U.S.A., Canada, Bangladesh, Belgium, 3razi1, F.R.G., Poland, U.S.S.R., France, U.K., Austra- lia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, The Netherl~ds, Italy, Nigeria, Nepal, Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong, Norway and Yugoslavia. The conference took place in the shadow of the worst drought of the century in India.

Special attention was focussed on the following themes.

(1) Characteristics of tropical boundary layer: measurements

(2) Chara~te~sti~ of tropical bends layer: modelling

(3) Air quality models (4} Air pollution: sampIing, monito~ng and

control techniques (5) Air pollution impact studies: heahh,

vegetation, economic strategies (6) Accidental release of toxic gases, radiation

hazards and management strategy (7) Alternative energy sources and

improved efficiency of combustion and air pollution

(8) Environmental impact assessment and management strategy.

The scientific sessions were divided into keynote addresses, lead talks and paper presentations (oral and poster) on the above themes. In the concluding session, a set of recommendations and guidelines was finalized for protection against the further degradation of the environment*. The papers pre- sented at the Symposium, a selection of which appear in this special issue of Atmospheric Environ- me?% or will appear in future issues, include description of recent experimental and theoretical studies, in some of the above mentioned areas. They should be useful to research scientists and scholars interested in the field of air pollution studies and tropical micrometeo~logy,