Abstract
Measurements of <TEX>$SO_2$</TEX>, <TEX>$NO_2$</TEX> and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes BTEX concentrations using passive tubes were carried out at five locations featuring educational and light industrial activities in south western Kuwait City during 2014. The five selected sites, chosen to be statistically representative of land use in the study area, were monitored to evaluate the impacts of traffic and light industrial activities on pollutant concentrations. The recorded mean concentrations of <TEX>$NO_2$</TEX>, <TEX>$SO_2$</TEX> and BTEX were 40.3, 28.1 and <TEX>$3.72{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX>, respectively. The lowest concentrations were recorded in the educational area. Comparisons between the measured concentrations and the applicable air quality standards from the Kuwait Environment Public Authority showed that the gas concentrations were lower than the allowable limits.
Highlights
Recent studies have shown that, at a minimum, seasonal air quality data should be used to evaluate the impacts and risks of human exposure to air pollution (e.g. Pérez Ballesta et al, 2008; Clench-Aas et al, 1999)
Comparisons between the measured concentrations and the applicable air quality standards from the Kuwait Environment Public Authority showed that the gas concentrations were lower than the allowable limits
This study focused on seasonal measurements of selected gaseous air pollutants in ambient air near educational and light industrial areas located 6 km southwest of Kuwait City, which is the most congested area of the country
Summary
Recent studies have shown that, at a minimum, seasonal air quality data should be used to evaluate the impacts and risks of human exposure to air pollution (e.g. Pérez Ballesta et al, 2008; Clench-Aas et al, 1999). Many studies have demonstrated that high levels of air pollution negatively impact human health and can cause increased respiratory morbidity and mortality Air pollution can damage property, plants and crops (Seinfeld, 1986). These types of damage cause high, directly measureable costs, they are not comparable to the costs associated with human health (Brunekreef and Holgate, 2002; Levy et al, 2002). Monitoring the potential health effects of any urban air pollutant requires many complementary measurements. There is a need for cost-effective ways to simultaneously evaluate multiple pollutants and this can be achieved using diffusive sampling techniques (Costabile et al, 2006)
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