Air pollution is the bane of modern society.It is the scourge which is responsible for untold misery to modern man.To a great extent,this problem is man's own creation.When man manipulates with the course of nature,the nemesis is unavoidable.

Although a great deal less frequently, air quality in UAE is affected by industrial and vehicular emissions, which can bring increased levels of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone as well as PM10 (particulate matter that is 10 microns or less in diameter) into the air we breathe.Moreover, the transport sector alone increases the air pollution by a large amount.In addition, industries also contribute to the air pollution where the impact of their pollution is hard to deal with. Sulphur dioxide and particulate matter are causing concern when they exceed the air pollution limit in the UAE.

The UAE experiences dust storms, usually in February-March and June-August. Strong winds pick up momentum and sweep dust from the desert, spreading it across the region. The results can be more than just irritating they can be both a safety and a health hazard.

There are several steps that the UAE takes to reduce the impact of vehicle and industry pollution in the air.

Local authorities have taken steps to measure pollution levels with Abu Dhabi and Dubai providing real-time information, publicly available online, on the concentration of common pollutants, with measurements taken regularly at stations throughout the two cities.

In the capital, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (Ead) has also started detailed monitoring of particulate matter pollution, looking at levels of particles, known as PM10, which are only 10 micrometres in size, with a micrometre being a millionth of a metre.

Preventative measures have also been introduced by the Government, such as the deregulation of petrol, to reduce harmful emissions. Other schemes include the UAE Cabinet?s decision to regulate crusher and quarrying operations and cement and asbestos production, all of which affect air quality.The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water has issued legislation and regulations to reduce air pollution. It has also developed systems to evaluate the environmental impact of projects and for the protection of air pollution, including standards and maximum permissible limits for air pollutants from various sources. In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers has taken decisions for regulating activities of special nature which affect air quality such as crusher and quarrying operations, cement and asbestos production, and will continue to do so to always ensure best practices to constantly improve our country?s air quality.

Sources:

MOEW,The National