I finally dedicated some time to clean up our apartment balcony, and was quite satisfied with it now that the family can enjoy the wonderful panoramic views from so high up. The satisfaction didn't last long though. By early evening, the floor is so dusty that you don't want to go out to it any more until you have it mopped again.
This morning Google sent me a news article which explains why.
Desert Dust Quite High in Dubai
Lily B. Libo-on 12 November 2008
DUBAI - The prevalence of dust is quite high in Dubai and most parts in Middle East with the worst being registered in 2005, which was also due to the least amount of rain in the region, Eng. Redha Salman, Director of Dubai’s Health and Safety Department revealed on Tuesday.
He said that results of research works on air pollutants in Dubai showed that desert dust contributes around 25 to 30 per cent of the air pollution, local traffic, 20 to 25 per cent, and local industry and regional sources, 40 to 45 per cent.
Speaking on the air quality management in Dubai at the “EnviroCities 2008 International Conference”, he said the standard of air quality –as per the test- is within the World health Organisation’s standard and even better within UAE standards coming from its 96 readings performed daily.
Since 2003, Dubai Municipality has been reporting daily with a continuous programme monitoring the construction sites and moving earth equipment until 2015. “We are doing this because there is a continuous delivery of construction materials and moving earth day and night all over Dubai,” Eng. Salman said.
According to him, all projects carried in Dubai are subjected to environmental impact assessment before implementation.
He said that in 2006, power stations contributed to 25 per cent of air pollution, energy 21 per cent, industry 18 per cent, and motor vehicles were still the source of the most of it. “Dubai has 1.5 million people who live with their 75,000 vehicles,” he said.
Major air pollution recorded in Dubai coming from motor vehicles was 64 per cent in 2005, 61 per cent in 2006, but it tapered off to 53 perc ent in 2007.
“The reduction is traced to awareness of the fact that emissions from vehicles pollute the air. Dubai is highest among countries in the region in terms of car ownership with 541 cars per 1,000 population.”
Dubai Municipality uses the Remote Sensing Device that monitors the carbon dioxide infra red and ultraviolet, as research results pinpoint to 83 per cent of petrol vehicles emitting more than others.
lily@khaleejtimes.com
1 comment:
Hi,
I agree with your perspective. Moreover Climate Change is also a Type of Air Pollution
When people think of air pollution, they most often associate it with the sort of dirty discharge that can be readily seen coming from the smokestacks of coal-fired plants or even the particulate matter that is emitted from automotive tailpipes. However, the most common and potentially dangerous gases that threaten life on Earth are actually greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide and methane, together, account for about 30% of the "greenhouse effect" that, at levels that had been steady since the end of the last ice age, keeps the Earth at the relatively comfortable temperatures that more life enjoys. However, while the levels of water vapor (which actually account for most of the greenhouse effect) have remained relatively stable, the amount of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere has sky-rocketed, due largely to the burning of fossil fuels and the massive increase in the number of ruminant animals used for meat production.
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