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.

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/