Air pollution and road traffic in Kuwait

Abstract

Kuwait having one of the highest GDP and the least fuel price provides an ideal opportunity for ownership of motorized vehicles. Weather has also a major role in this issue where in long summer (lasting about nine months), temperature sores to nearly 50 oC very often and in short winter, and it drops to single digit value in early mornings and nights. The road transport is vital for the local inhabitants as the sole means of transport (commuting and transporting goods). In the last decade, the motorized road vehicle fleet has grown significantly bringing unprecedented mobility to the burgeoning population. With the growth of vehicles, the fuel consumption has also increased. Motor vehicles are a critical source of urban air pollution (PM10, CO, CO2, NOx, O3, SO2 and VOC's). Air pollution is a serious health problem and accounts for hundred of millions of dollars for health care and welfare cost. This paper focuses on the environmental impact of urban growth that has resulted into an unabated increase in the light vehicles fleet. Two case studies for Ambient Air Quality (A.A.Q) are presented and discussed in detail. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Kuwait is mitigating to reduce the increasing levels of air pollutants discharged regularly from motor vehicles and to take necessary measures for the implementation of severe checks to maintain strict compliance with air quality standard.