Foliar surface undergoes several structural and functional changes when particulate-laden air strikes it. An attempt was made to evaluate the quality of air in terms of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) along with biochemical parameters of twelve selected roadside plant species at industrial, traffic, residential and rural areas of Rourkela city in India. Increase concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Cu and Zn) was recorded at site B (industrial area).