Potential Contribution of Traffic to Air Pollution in the State of Kuwait

Problem statement: The reduction in ambient air pollution is a universal goal-particularly in urban areas, the lack of resources often necessitates identification and prioritization of sources of air pollutants. Efficient planning and effective management of environmental pollutants is thus important for optimum utilization of limited resources. Approach: This study examined seven years of data from three air pollution monitoring stations in the State of Kuwait. The stations-each located at a different district-were selected such that the influence of traffic source and oil refineries/power stations on ambient air pollution contaminants could be detected. A sampling plan was developed and CH₄, CO, O₃, SO₂, NO, NO_X and TS concentrations were measured both during peak-traffic hours as well as off-peak hours. Results: Analyses of the data showed that concentrations of the air pollutants had slightly increased over the seven-year study period and only those of the NO_X and SO₂, exceed the permitted standard levels. Traffic was the main source of air pollution in the district located adjacent to the city centre, while oil refineries contributed most to ambient air pollution in the rural district. Conclusion: The concentration levels of NO, NO_X and Total Sulfate (TS) were significantly less at the district located away from urban traffic and oil refineries compared to those of with heavy daily traffic congestions and those of the district in proximity to oil refineries.