Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
Levels of a major air pollutant in the UAE have dropped significantly over the past year, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report from Swiss company IQAir.
The report shows that the UAE's concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter up to 2.5 micrometres in diameter) has declined from 43 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic metre) to 33.7 µg/m³ in just one year.
"In 2024, air quality in West Asia showed moderate improvements, with PM2.5 levels dropping in each country across the region, although air pollution remains a significant challenge," the report stated.
"The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait saw the most notable reductions in PM2.5 concentrations, with the UAE experiencing a 22% drop and Kuwait a 24% reduction compared to 2023."
The 2024 World Air Quality Report assesses global air quality based on PM2.5 data collected from 8,954 cities across 138 countries, regions and territories.
Air pollution remains a pressing health concern worldwide.
In 2022, the United Nations declared access to clean air a universal human right. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population still lives in areas that fail to meet recommended air quality guidelines.
The State of Global Air Report 2024 identified air pollution as the second leading global risk factor for mortality, and the second leading risk factor for deaths among children under five, following malnutrition.
The report estimates that in 2021 alone, air pollution contributed to 8.1 million deaths worldwide, with ambient PM2.5 pollution accounting for 58% of those fatalities.
Step Towards Cleaner Air
Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Chair of the Environmental & Public Health Department at Abu Dhabi University's College of Health Sciences noted that the UAE's 22% drop in PM2.5 levels is a significant step towards cleaner air.
In an interview with Aletihad, Dr. Ajaj discussed potential factors that could have contributed to this improvement.
"Tighter emission regulations, for one, have most probably been a key driver, with more regulation on industrial outputs and exhausts from vehicles - two key sources of PM2.5 - augmented by initiatives like the National Air Quality Platform, which monitors air quality in 31 stations," she said.
Dr. Ajaj also highlighted the shift toward renewable energy sources, noting that projects like the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant have likely contributed to reduced emissions from fossil fuel-based power.
"Urban transport improvements, including enhancing public transport, more usage of electric vehicles, and congestion control, may have lowered pollution from vehicles in urban areas like Abu Dhabi and Dubai," she added.
Efforts to control natural dust, a significant source of PM2.5 in the UAE's desert environment, may have also had a positive impact on air quality, according to Dr. Ajaj.
These include road surfacing, water spraying, and afforestation projects. Better waste handling practices, including curbing open burning, also contribute to lower levels of particulate matter in the air.
Long-Term Benefits for Public Health
The improvement in air quality is expected to have positive effects on public health. Dr. Ajaj explained that lower PM2.5 levels would likely reduce the incidence of respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
"It also likely eases cardiovascular strain, with less PM2.5 entering the bloodstream to trigger inflammation and clotting, reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension," she said.
The drop in PM2.5 could also lessen the incidence of diabetes, reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes like low birth weight, and potentially mitigate cognitive decline in vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
Nahla Nabil, an ESG & Sustainability Strategist, told Aletihad: "Cutting PM2.5 pollution by 22% in just one year, that is a big deal not just for the environment, but for everyone who lives and breathes here."
She described the PM2.5 as the "silent killer" made up of tiny particles that burrow deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing risks of lung disease, heart attacks and strokes.
"But less pollution? That means fewer hospital visits, better health, and a higher quality of life," said added.
Considering that PM2.5 comes from traffic, industry, and dust, this drop signifies real progress guided by a “multifaceted approaches”. These include more sustainable public transport, greener spaces, and smarter urban planning, she added.
Reducing these pollutants also aids in the fight against climate change, as they are linked to fossil fuel emissions, according to Nabil.
“Cleaner air isn’t just a statistic it’s something that touches every aspect of life, from public health to climate action. And that’s something worth celebrating,” she noted.
