AIR POLLUTION FORECAST

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the Requirements

For the award of Bachelor of Computer Application Degree

LNCT UNIVERSITY, BHOPAL (M.P.)

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (SOCST)

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER APPLICATION

BAI-604, MAJOR PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Submitted by

Dhruv Kumar Singh (LNCCBCA31142)

Kanhaiva Kumar (LNCCBCA41150)

Aman Soni (LNCABCAAI023)

Himanshu Bhalave (LNCCBCA41162)

Subham Meena (LNCCBCA41167)

Under the Guidance of

PROF. Aniket Satpute

BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATION

LNCT UNIVERSITY, BHOPAL (M.P.)

JANUARY-JUNE- 2025

1
 Project Synopsis: Forecast Air Pollution
1. Introduction
Air pollution stands today as one of the most pressing environmental and public health
challenges confronting humanity. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, vehicular emissions,
and deforestation have significantly contributed to the degradation of air quality across the
globe. The presence of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere, such as Particulate Matter
(PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Carbon Monoxide
(CO), and Ozone (O₃), has led to severe consequences including respiratory ailments,
cardiovascular diseases, premature mortality, and the acceleration of climate change due to
greenhouse effects.

With a growing awareness of these environmental hazards, there arises a critical need for
intelligent and accessible systems that can monitor, analyze, and predict air quality in real-
time. This proactive approach enables both individuals and governments to take
precautionary or remedial actions, thereby minimizing exposure risks and promoting
healthier living environments.

In light of this, the project titled "Forecast Air Pollution" aims to develop a web-based
intelligent forecasting system powered by machine learning algorithms. This application is
capable of predicting the Air Quality Index (AQI) by taking in simple environmental
parameters such as:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Wind Speed
- Atmospheric Pressure

Using this data, the system will predict pollutant concentrations and calculate an overall AQI
value. The project utilizes a Random Forest Regressor, a robust ensemble-based machine
learning algorithm, for prediction due to its high accuracy, ability to handle non-linear data,
and resistance to overfitting.

The predicted AQI value is subsequently classified into categories like "Good", "Moderate",
"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups", etc., based on standards provided by organizations such
as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India. These categories simplify the data
for layman users, making it easier for them to comprehend the pollution severity and make
informed decisions—such as avoiding outdoor activities or wearing protective masks during
poor air quality days.

The central motivation behind this project is not just academic curiosity, but also a
commitment to social utility—to develop a cost-effective, scalable, and accessible system

2
that enhances awareness, supports health safety, and contributes to environmental policy and
planning.

Air pollution has emerged as a formidable global crisis, transcending borders and affecting
populations irrespective of geography, socioeconomic status, or development. The
exponential growth in industrialization, urban sprawl, rising vehicular usage, and
uncontrolled deforestation have drastically altered the composition of the Earth’s
atmosphere. This anthropogenic influence has led to a rise in airborne pollutants including
but not limited to Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Sulfur
Dioxide (SO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O₃), and Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs). These pollutants not only diminish air quality but also contribute to a multitude of
public health and environmental issues.

The adverse health implications of prolonged exposure to polluted air are well-documented.
Respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) are directly linked to particulate matter. Furthermore, cardiovascular complications,
neurological disorders, and developmental issues in children are also associated with high
levels of air pollution. Alarmingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air
pollution is responsible for approximately seven million premature deaths every year.
Additionally, environmental consequences like acid rain, reduced agricultural productivity,
and accelerated climate change due to elevated greenhouse gas levels further exacerbate the
situation.

Given the magnitude of this problem, it is imperative to equip societies with tools that not
only monitor air quality but also forecast future pollution levels. A real-time, predictive air
quality monitoring system can provide early warnings to vulnerable groups, support public
health planning, guide governmental policy, and raise awareness about the importance of
sustainable living.

This project, aptly titled "Forecast Air Pollution", proposes a web-based intelligent
application capable of predicting air pollution levels using advanced machine learning
techniques. The primary aim is to develop an accessible, user-friendly platform that can
provide real-time AQI (Air Quality Index) predictions using readily available meteorological
data. Users will input basic atmospheric variables such as:

Using this input, the application leverages a supervised machine learning model—
specifically, the Random Forest Regressor—to predict pollutant concentrations and
compute the AQI. The Random Forest algorithm is chosen for its robustness, ability to
handle non-linear relationships, resistance to overfitting, and high predictive accuracy in
diverse datasets.

Once the AQI is calculated, it is categorized into descriptive bands based on standard
guidelines such as those provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India

3
or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These categories—ranging
from “Good” to “Hazardous”—are designed to help the general public easily interpret the
severity of pollution and make informed decisions. For instance, an "Unhealthy" AQI rating
might prompt users to avoid outdoor activities, wear masks, or use air purifiers.

Moreover, this project holds significant relevance in the context of smart cities and e-
governance. By integrating forecasting capabilities with environmental data dashboards,
urban planners and policy makers can proactively design interventions like traffic control,
emission regulation, and public advisories to mitigate the effects of pollution.

The ultimate objective of this initiative is to bridge the gap between raw environmental
data and actionable insight. By developing a scalable and cost-effective forecasting model,
the project not only contributes to academic research in machine learning and environmental
sciences but also serves a vital social purpose. It empowers individuals, communities, and
governments to act consciously and responsibly in the face of one of the most urgent
challenges of our time.

2. Feasibility Study
Before proceeding with the actual development and deployment of the "Forecast Air
Pollution" system, it is crucial to perform a comprehensive feasibility study. This involves
analyzing the project’s viability from multiple perspectives, including technical, operational,
and economic standpoints. A robust feasibility study ensures that the solution is not only
practically implementable but also sustainable in the long term, scalable to various use cases,
and user-friendly for a broad audience.

2.1 Technical Feasibility

Technical feasibility focuses on evaluating whether the project can be built using existing
technology and knowledge. In this project, we utilize widely adopted and well-documented
tools such as:

• Programming Language: Python (version 3.8 or higher), known for its simplicity
and wide use in data science and machine learning.

• Libraries & Frameworks: Scikit-learn for implementing machine learning models,

Pandas and NumPy for data manipulation, Matplotlib and Seaborn for visualization,
and Joblib for model serialization.

• Web Development: Flask for creating a lightweight, scalable web application

interface.

4
 • Deployment Tools: Platforms like Heroku or AWS (Amazon Web Services) can be
used for hosting the web application.

The Random Forest Regressor, used for AQI prediction, is a proven ensemble learning
technique that provides reliable results across a range of datasets and has been effectively
used in prior environmental data applications.

Given the open-source nature of these technologies and the rich availability of online
resources, the project is technically feasible. Developers with moderate experience in Python
and web development can implement the system without requiring proprietary tools or
hardware.

2.2 Operational Feasibility

Operational feasibility examines whether the system will function effectively in a real-world
environment and if end users will be able to interact with it effortlessly.

This project is designed with simplicity and user experience at its core. The interface requires
users to input only four common meteorological parameters—temperature, humidity, wind
speed, and pressure—which can be obtained from weather forecasts or personal weather
stations.

Once the data is submitted, the system processes it in real time and returns:

• Estimated pollutant concentration levels

• A numerical AQI value

• A descriptive AQI category (e.g., Good, Moderate, Unhealthy)

The user interface will be intuitive, responsive, and mobile-compatible, making it accessible
across devices. Additionally, the system could be integrated with APIs to fetch live weather
data automatically, further reducing user input requirements and improving real-time
applicability.

From an operational standpoint, the application can be readily adopted by various

stakeholders, including urban residents, environmental agencies, schools, hospitals, and
municipal bodies.

2.3 Economic Feasibility

Economic feasibility focuses on the cost-effectiveness of the system. The project is designed
to be highly economical by leveraging open-source technologies and publicly available
datasets. Key cost-saving aspects include:

• No licensing fees for development tools or libraries

5
 • Minimal hardware requirements, as development can be performed on standard
personal computers

• Low deployment costs, especially when using budget-friendly cloud services (like
Heroku's free tier or AWS Free Tier)

• No recurring software costs, since maintenance and updates can be performed in-
house

This ensures that institutions or individuals with limited budgets can still benefit from the
system without incurring prohibitive expenses. The project is scalable and can be extended
or customized further based on organizational needs with minimal additional investment.

The technology stack chosen for this project comprises open-source, well-documented, and
community-supported tools and frameworks, including:
- Python (v3.8+)
- Flask
- Scikit-learn
- Joblib
- HTML & CSS

The system is designed to be user-friendly and functional. A non-technical user can easily
interact with the web application by entering just four basic parameters (temperature,
humidity, wind speed, and pressure). The application processes this data and outputs:
- Estimated pollutant concentrations
- Calculated AQI
- AQI classification category

All tools used are open-source and free. Deployment can be done using inexpensive cloud
platforms or on local servers. Since the training datasets are publicly available or can be
synthetically generated, the cost remains low.

3. Methodology and Planning of Work

The development of the air quality forecasting system follows a structured and systematic
approach to ensure both functionality and reliability. The project lifecycle is divided into
multiple interconnected phases, each designed to accomplish a specific set of objectives.
These phases ensure a logical flow of work, allow for modular testing, and enable easier
future enhancements or scaling.

3.1 Dataset Creation

6
The foundational step in any machine learning project is the construction of a reliable and
representative dataset. In this project, a custom dataset was curated, either through real-
time environmental sensors, open-source repositories (such as AQICN.org or CPCB), or
simulated values reflecting actual meteorological and pollution patterns.

• Features Collected: The dataset includes environmental parameters such as

temperature, humidity, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure.

• Target Variables: Corresponding pollutant concentration levels like PM2.5, PM10,

NO₂, SO₂, CO, and O₃, which were then used to derive the AQI.

This raw data was loaded into a Pandas DataFrame using Python and underwent a
comprehensive preprocessing phase that included:

• Data Cleaning: Removal of null values, correction of inconsistencies, and handling

of outliers.

• Data Normalization: Scaling features to improve algorithm performance and

convergence.

• Feature Engineering: Creating additional derived features (e.g., dew point, wind
chill factor) if required.

• Data Diversity: Ensured inclusion of samples from different seasons, geographies,

and pollution intensities to improve the model's ability to generalize.

3.2 Model Training

Once the dataset was preprocessed, the next phase involved training a machine learning
model to predict pollutant concentrations based on environmental variables.

• Data Splitting: The dataset was divided into training (80%) and testing (20%)
subsets to validate the model on unseen data.

• Algorithm Selection: A Random Forest Regressor was chosen due to its

robustness, ability to handle nonlinear relationships, and immunity to overfitting.

• Training Process: The model was trained using the training subset, learning
complex patterns and dependencies between input features and target pollutant
levels.

• Evaluation Metrics: Performance was measured using:

o Mean Squared Error (MSE)

7
 o Mean Absolute Error (MAE)

o R² Score (Coefficient of Determination)

These metrics ensured that the model was not only accurate but also generalizable and
efficient.

• Model Serialization: Once finalized, the model was saved using Joblib, making it
portable and ready for integration into the backend of the web application.

3.3 Web Application Development

The web application was structured into two major development layers—Frontend and
Backend, facilitating smooth interaction between users and the prediction engine.

Frontend Layer:

• Technologies Used: HTML, CSS, and optionally JavaScript for added

responsiveness.

• User Interface: An interactive form allows users to input the required parameters
(temperature, humidity, etc.).

• Design Principles:

o Clean, minimalist design

o Responsive layout for compatibility with smartphones, tablets, and desktops

o Accessibility considerations (colorblind-friendly palettes, simple navigation)

Backend Layer:

• Framework: Developed using Flask, a lightweight Python web framework.

• Functional Workflow:

1. Receives user inputs from the frontend.

2. Preprocesses inputs (e.g., scales them if required).

3. Loads the trained Random Forest model.

4. Predicts pollutant concentrations.

5. Calculates AQI based on pollutant levels.

8
 6. Maps AQI to a qualitative category.

7. Sends results back to the frontend.

3.4 AQI Categorization

To make the system’s output meaningful and easily interpretable, the numerical AQI values
are converted into qualitative categories based on the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) of India standards. These categories help users understand the severity of pollution
in human terms.

AQI Range Category Health Implications

0–50 Good Minimal or no risk

51–100 Satisfactory Minor discomfort to sensitive individuals

101–200 Moderate Breathing discomfort to vulnerable groups

201–300 Poor Increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms

301–400 Very Poor Health warnings of emergency conditions

401–500 Severe Serious health effects even for healthy individuals

These categories are displayed prominently to the user along with color-coded indicators and
recommendations (e.g., reduce outdoor exposure, wear N95 masks, use air purifiers).

4. Facilities Required

The successful development, testing, and deployment of an application requires a well-

defined set of hardware and software resources. Below is a detailed breakdown of the
essential resources that are necessary to develop, test, and deploy the application efficiently.

Hardware Requirements

9
To ensure smooth development and optimal performance during testing and deployment,
the following hardware specifications are recommended:

1. Computer or Server:

• Minimum RAM: 4 GB

o A minimum of 4 GB of RAM is essential for the development environment

to function without lag, especially when working with large datasets. This will
allow the development tools and libraries to operate efficiently without
compromising performance.

• Processor:

o Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen equivalent (or better)

o A mid-range processor, such as an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen

equivalent, is recommended. The processor should be capable of handling
multi-threaded tasks, as data processing, model training, and API requests
often require concurrent operations.

• Storage:

o Adequate storage space (SSD recommended for faster read/write speeds)

o At least 100 GB of available storage is recommended, especially if you are

working with large datasets or deploying machine learning models that might
require significant disk space for saving model files, logs, or application
dependencies. An SSD (Solid-State Drive) is preferred for faster
performance, as it will drastically reduce the time taken to load and write data
compared to traditional HDDs.

• Internet Connectivity:

o Stable internet connection for accessing external datasets, libraries, APIs, and
cloud-based services.

o Consistent internet access is necessary for downloading datasets, testing API

integrations, managing dependencies via package managers like pip or
conda, and accessing cloud-based storage or computing resources.

• Peripherals:

o Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse for efficient development.

o A monitor with sufficient resolution (at least 1080p) will help when managing
multiple windows or working with visualizations. A full-size keyboard and

10
 ergonomic mouse will make coding more comfortable during long working
sessions.

Software Requirements

The software resources are vital for the development, testing, and deployment processes.
Below are the specific software tools and configurations required to ensure seamless
development:

1. Programming Language:

• Python 3.8+ (preferred version)

o Python is the primary language used for developing the application. The
version of Python used should be 3.8 or higher to ensure compatibility with
the latest libraries and features. Python's flexibility, rich ecosystem, and ease
of use make it ideal for rapid application development, data processing,
machine learning, and API creation.

o It's important to regularly update the Python version to the latest stable
release to maintain compatibility and security.

2. Essential Python Libraries:

• The following libraries are essential for the development of the application,
particularly for data manipulation, machine learning, and saving models:

o pandas - for data manipulation and analysis.

o numpy - for numerical computations and array operations.

o scikit-learn - for machine learning tasks, such as classification, regression,

and clustering.

o joblib - for saving and loading machine learning models efficiently.

• Other libraries like matplotlib and seaborn (for visualization) may be added
depending on specific needs, especially if the application requires data visualization
or user-friendly graphical outputs.

3. Web Framework:

• Flask

11
 o Flask is a lightweight and simple Python web framework suitable for
developing web applications. It is flexible, easy to scale, and ideal for small to
medium-sized applications. Flask supports the creation of RESTful APIs,
allowing seamless communication between the backend and frontend of the
application.

o If the application grows in complexity or needs additional features, Flask can

be easily extended with libraries such as Flask-SQLAlchemy (for database
support) or Flask-WTF (for web forms).

4. Development Environment:

• Jupyter Notebook / VS Code / PyCharm / Equivalent IDE

o Jupyter Notebook is preferred for interactive development, especially for

testing machine learning models and visualizing data. It allows the execution
of code in small blocks, making it ideal for exploratory programming.

o VS Code is a powerful, lightweight code editor with a wide range of

extensions, such as Python support, Git integration, and debugging tools. It
is suited for both small scripts and larger projects.

o PyCharm is a more feature-rich IDE, particularly useful for large-scale

Python projects. It includes integrated debugging, testing tools, and version
control features.

o Choosing the right IDE or notebook environment depends on personal

preference and the scale of the application.

5. Web Browser:

• Google Chrome / Mozilla Firefox / Any Modern Browser

o A modern web browser is required to test the frontend of the application.

While Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are the most commonly used
browsers for development, other modern browsers like Safari or Microsoft
Edge can also be used.

o The browser should have developer tools (like Chrome DevTools) to debug
front-end issues, inspect elements, and optimize the web application's
performance.

o For UI testing, it’s essential to check compatibility across different browsers

to ensure a consistent experience for users.

6. Version Control:

12
 • Git (optional but recommended)

o Git is a distributed version control system that helps manage changes in the
codebase and facilitates collaboration, particularly for teams working on the
same project. It allows you to track changes, revert to previous versions, and
merge code seamlessly.

o Platforms such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket can be used for hosting

repositories and collaborating with team members.

7. Testing & Deployment Tools (Optional):

• Docker - for containerizing the application and ensuring consistent environments

for development, testing, and production.

• Heroku / AWS / Azure - cloud platforms for hosting the application once it's
ready for deployment.

• Postman - for API testing during development to verify endpoints and responses.

8. Additional Software Tools:

• Database Management System (DBMS): For applications that require storing and
managing user data, a DBMS such as SQLite, MySQL, or PostgreSQL might be
necessary.

• API Documentation Tools: Tools like Swagger or Redoc are helpful for
generating user-friendly API documentation, which is essential when exposing APIs
for third-party usage.

Optional Tools for Improved Workflow

While the tools mentioned above are the basic necessities, there are additional tools that
could improve the efficiency and workflow:

• Slack / Microsoft Teams for team communication

• Trello / Jira for project management and task tracking

• CI/CD tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions for continuous integration and
deployment

13