Air Pollution in the UAE & Middle East

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by Rohan Kapur | 13-09-2015 19:18 recommendations 0

On Dec. 14, 2012 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthened the nations air quality standards for fine particle pollution to improve public health protection by revising the primary annual PM2.5 standard to 12 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) and retaining the 24-hour fine particle standard of 35 ug/m3. Exposure to fine particle pollution can cause premature death and harmful cardiovascular effects such as heart attacks and strokes, and is linked to a variety of other significant health problems. Particle pollution also harms public welfare, including causing haze in cities and some of our nations most treasured national parks.

EPA has issued a number of rules & introduced The Air Quality Index (AQI). These standards are followed the world over.

The current AQI table is given in the attached picture with this report.

Especially in the Middle east region Busier roads, expanding airports, construction activities, rising hydrocarbon production, power plants, plans to host global events and the growth of tourism industry are making air quality an important issue in the region. The problem has been compounded by some of the regional countries being classified as most polluted by the World Health Organisation.

A series of initiatives is being taken up by the regional governments to address rising air pollution, monitor air quality and introduce remedial steps.

FACTS AND FIGURES THAT DRIVE THE MARKET
	The MENA region has the second-highest concentration of gas flaring in the world, after Russia and the Caspian region
	The rapid pace of urbanization and motorization has resulted in the UAE having the highest per capita carbon dioxide emission rates in the world
	The Middle East air pollution control equipment market stood at US$103.4 million in 2009 and is set to reach US$155 million by 2014
	ADNOC and Masdar have launched the Middle East?s first carbon capture use and storage project, awarding a US$122.5 million contract to build the facility

From 2005-10 the Middle East has been one of the regions with the fastest growing air pollution emissions. This also occurred in East Asia, but especially in the Middle East. This was related to economic growth in many countries. However its the only region in the world where this upward trend of pollution was interrupted around 2010 and then followed by very strong decline. Unfortunately, the Middle East is not the only region in the world affected by economic recession and upheaval owing to war, although geopolitical changes appear to be more drastic than elsewhere. It is tragic that some of the observed recent negative NO2 trends are associated with humanitarian catastrophes.

If you focus on the AQI in the UAE, refer to the attached picture, you will notice that near Dubai World Trade Center it is 182. It may be due to large number of vehicles on the 12 lane highway that is always clogged for most of the day & night. In Deira creek side it is lowest at 17. In sparsely populated Arabian Ranches it is 38.

Dubai Municipality has released an Air Quality Index (https://portal.dm.gov.ae/AirQuality/Airqualityindex.htm)

There are Six monitoring networks established that regularly monitor the Air quality. Regular collection of data takes place. The govt. is making all efforts to make the living of the residents easier & healthier.

Also, the Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi operates & maintain 20 such stations

(http://www.ead.ae/know-your-environment/air-and-climate-control/)

They have built up a sizable data-base to search for effective control measures to make the quality of air better. They have prepared an excellent video in this regard that you may see here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3cl5f-Bs1M)

There is a bit of an issue but the Government is seriously taking care of the same & we must help them by contributing our bit of taking care of the Air Pollution as much as we can.

Thanks for Reading.

Sources:

The Guardian, AirNow, Wikipedia, AQI Report – USA, http://aqicn.org/map/uae/

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Dormant user Rohan Kapur

18 Comments

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Luiz, for liking the graphs & report. I agree it gives a better view & apt understanding.
Posted 15-09-2015 12:49

Rohan Kapur says :
Yes Patricia, we can definitely work together. Thanks for your comments.
Posted 15-09-2015 12:45

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Manav, for your very related comments being a UAE resident.
Posted 15-09-2015 12:44

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Arushi, aptly commented. We have equal responsibility as well as the Govt. authorities to tackle this issue.
Posted 15-09-2015 12:41

Luiz Bispo says :
Great report Rohan. I liked the graphs. Thay are very good for a better view of the issue. Keep sharing! =D
Posted 15-09-2015 10:28

says :
Thank you for your report Rohan! Hopefully we can work together along with the other ambassadors to help fix this problem around the world. Keep smiling :)
Posted 14-09-2015 23:24

says :
Very well presented Report Rohan. Being a UAE resident I can easily relate to it as you have rightly written that Dubai world trade centre road has highest AQI due to traffic congestion and Deira creek side has lowest.
Posted 14-09-2015 22:34

Arushi Madan says :
Rightly said Rohan that due to rapid urbanisation , development and increase in population (also due to influx from neighbouring war torn countries ), the air pollution is posing a challenge. Although municipalities and environment agencies are putting in all monitoring and control measures ,sharing with public about air quality at real time levels , putting in schemes to reduce private cars on road and incentivising the public transport to tempt public , but still all of us have to be equally cautious about it and have to play our roles in being green and contributing to improving the air quality. Thanks for a well written report.
Posted 14-09-2015 20:47

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Raunak. Correct, we have caused the Air Pollution to rise therefore we HAVE to control it & we are moving in right direction.
Posted 14-09-2015 16:20

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Harmanjot. Agreed this is urgently needed to keep the air clean.
Posted 14-09-2015 16:19

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Sandhya for reading & for your kind comments.
Posted 14-09-2015 16:18

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Dear Bindu for your useful comments. You are right, Air pollution is directly proportional to the technological advancements. We must aim to keep them as mush green as feasible.
Posted 14-09-2015 16:18

Rohan Kapur says :
Thanks Fahad.
Posted 14-09-2015 16:16

says :
Well written Bro. It is a controllable & avoidable [to an extent] menace. Let's support the authorities & make the Air cleaner to breathe.
Posted 14-09-2015 16:06

says :
Great report ! There is great need to keep the air clean for us to breathe in it !

Posted 13-09-2015 23:53

says :
nicely written report with the information...keep sharing mate
Posted 13-09-2015 22:00

says :
Dear Rohan, glad to go through your vivid report concerning the air pollution in UAE and the Middle East. With growing economy and population it is likely that the air quality gets deteriorated but hopeful that the effective monitoring will guide way forward for maintaining the quality.
Thank you for sharing the factful report with statistics dear Rohan :)
Posted 13-09-2015 20:24