Air Pollution Load Research Articles

Air pollution impact on forecasting electricity demand utilizing CNN-PSO hyper-parameter optimization

Electricity consumption is expected to increase considerably in the next few years, so forecasting and planning will become more important. A new method of forecasting electricity loads based on air pollution is presented in this paper. Air pollution indirect effects are not incorporated in current evaluations since they rely primarily on weather conditions, historical load data, and seasonality. The accuracy of electricity load forecasting improved by incorporating air pollution data and its potential effects, especially in regions where air quality heavily impacts energy consumption and generation patterns. This robust prediction model is capable of capturing the complex interactions between air pollution and electricity load by integrating innovative environmental factors with historical load data, weather forecasts, and other features. As part of the second contribution, we use metaheuristic algorithms to optimize hyper parameters, which provide advantages such as exploration capability, global optimization, robustness, parallelization, and adaptability making them valuable tools to improve machine learning models’ performance and efficiency. The study found that the correlation coefficient (R) between predicted and real electricity demand and supply was high, at 0.9911. Beyond that this approach reduces MAPE by up to 19.5% when CNN and particle swarm optimization are combined with utilizing innovative air pollution variables. As a result, the optimization results were robust compared to state-of-the-art results based on statistical metrics such as RMSE and MAPE. Lastly, we emphasize the importance of factoring in air pollution effects when forecasting and managing electricity loads; future research directions include developing integrated modeling frameworks that reflect the dynamic interaction between air quality, energy consumption, and renewable energy generation.

Pine needles and soil as bioindicators of forest ecosystems in the anthropogenically disturbed areas of the Baikal region

Forest ecosystems of Baikal region were chosen a subject of comprehensive research conducted on the basis of the monitoring network created. Recommendations of the international manual ICP Forests, as well as the authors’ developments were used for the research. The study was focused on toxicological, physiological-biochemical, and biogeochemical indicators that adequately reflect the state and manifestation of the protective properties of the forest ecosystem main components (tree-stand and soil) under the influence of anthropogenic factors – air pollution, urbanization, and irrational forest management. The assessment of the vital state of tree-stands of Scots pine (indicator species) was carried out on the basis of representative indicators: pigments, the level of enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of antioxidant protection, the content and ratio of biogenic elements, changes in morphometric parameters. When studying soil in anthropogenically disturbed territories, an increase in soil density, a decrease in natural moisture, aeration, and humus content were found, alkalization of the upper horizons and accumulation of pollutants with a low migration rate in the upper horizons of the soil profile. Air pollution and high recreational load were shown to produce the greatest stressful impact on the forest ecosystems.

Using energy expenditure to estimate the minute ventilation and inhaled load of air pollutants: a pilot survey in young Chinese adults.

Existing equations to estimate ventilation (VE) may not represent the Chinese population. The objective is to develop regression equations to predict the basal metabolic rate (BMR) for ventilation estimation. 80 participants underwent the incremental tests on a bicycle ergometer, wearing a fitted facial mask with an airflow sensor connected to the cardiopulmonary gas analyzer, where the energy expenditure, metabolic factors and VE were monitored simultaneously. Linear regression models were established between BMR and body weight, which were used to estimate energy expenditure and VE. Extrapolation of the regression model was evaluated by the five-fold cross-validation. And we also assessed the inhaled load of air pollutants in subgroups at the same exposure levels. Regression models for males and females were BMR (kJ/d) = 107.58 × weight (kg)-172.61 and BMR (kJ/d) = 105.61 × weight (kg)-26.94, respectively. The model showed good fitness between the measured and predicted VE. Differences between the measured and predicted VE of this model are smaller than that of other models. There were significant differences in inhaled load participants in the same exposure concentrations. The regression model showed that weight and BMR are highly correlated and can be used to estimate individual VE.

Decadal growth in emission load of major air pollutants in Delhi

Abstract. The Indian capital megacity of Delhi is reeling under deteriorating air quality, and control measures are not yielding any significant changes, mainly due to a poor understanding of sources of emissions; hence, priority option in mitigation planning is lacking. In this paper, we have made an attempt to develop a spatially resolved technological high-resolution gridded (∼0.4km×0.4km) emission inventory for eight major pollutants of the Delhi region where high-resolution activity data of all possible major and unattended minor sources are generated by organizing a mega-campaign involving hundreds of volunteers. It is for the first time that we are able to estimate the decadal growth in emissions of various pollutants by comparing newly developed 2020 emissions with SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) emissions of 2010 using the identical methodology and quantum of activity data. The estimated annual emissions for PM2.5, PM10, CO, NOx, VOC, SO2, BC, and OC over the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) are estimated to be 123.8, 243.6, 799.0, 488.9, 730.0, 425.8, 33.6, and 20.3 Gg yr−1, respectively, for the year 2020. The decadal growth (2010–2020) in PM2.5 and PM10 is found to be marginal at 31 % and 3 %, respectively. The maximum growth is found to be in the transport sector followed by the industrial and other sectors. Maximum decadal growth found for the pollutants BC, OC, and NOx is 57 %, 34 %, and 91 %, respectively. The decadal shift of sectorial emissions with changing policies is examined. The complete dataset is available on Zenodo at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7715595 (Sahu et al., 2023).

IMPACT OF URBANIZATION IN CHENNAI

Urbanization in India is more rapid around the major cities in India.Increase in industrial activities, population both endemic and floatingand vehicular population etc. have led to a number of environmentalproblems,oneofthembeingairpollution.Variouscontaminantscontinuouslyentertheatmospherethroughnaturalandman-madeprocessesandthesecontaminantsinteractwiththeenvironmenttocausedisease,toxicity,environmentaldecayandarelabeledaspollutant. Air Pollutants means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance(including noise) present in the atmosphere in such concentration asmay be or tend to be injurious to human beings or other living creaturesorplants orproperty orenvironment.Urban pollution refers to thepresence or introduction of hazardous or harmful substances in citiesand urban regions, Natural sources may contribute to urban pollution,but human-related emissions are by far the worst. Due to the localconcentration of people and human activity, anthropogenic sources ofpollution, such as factories, industries, transportation, and so forth, arefrequentlymade worse in cities. Serious attention should be given tothe need for improving urban strategies, which promote efficiency inresourceuse.Thepresentstudyanalysisresultstherelationshipbetween the levels of urbanization and the percentage of air pollution inselected area of Chennai. This paper tries to assess the forecasting of airquality and human health due to air pollution loads and human healthimpacts on major road networks of Greater Chennai. The aim of thestudy focuses on objectives to environment in Chennai city to estimatethe problems of air pollution environment in Challenge in Chennai cityandsuggesthealthcostofvehicularpollutionandtosuggesttheGovernment measure to control air pollution in environment Chennaicity.

Assessing Seasonal Concentrations of Airborne Potentially Toxic Elements in Tropical Mountain Areas in Thailand Using the Transplanted Lichen Parmotrema Tinctorum (Despr. ex Nyl.) Hale

The atmosphere of mountain areas may be contaminated by pollutants originating mainly from road traffic, as well as tourist and community activities within such areas. This study mainly aimed to assess the concentrations of airborne potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in two mountain areas in Thailand using lichen biomonitoring. Thalli of the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum from the relatively unpolluted area in Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) were prepared and exposed at nine sites in the KYNP and nine sites in Doi Inthanon National Park (DINP) during the rainy and dry seasons. The lichen transplants were collected and analyzed for 15 PTEs, including Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, and Zn, using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The result clearly showed that the atmosphere of many monitoring sites in both mountains were contaminated by the investigated PTEs. The contamination factors (CFs) revealed that several PTEs heavily contaminated the atmosphere at many monitoring sites. The pollution load indices (PLIs) clearly illustrated that the atmosphere of all sites had higher pollution loads in the dry season than in the rainy season, which was likely due to the higher numbers of motor vehicles and visitors. The highest pollution loads were observed at sites that had higher traffic density and human activities, including the park entrance site in the KYNP and the community site in the DINP. The lowest air pollution loads were discovered at the summit sites in both mountains. This study indicates that the atmosphere of mountain areas can be contaminated by some PTEs that are mainly produced by road traffic and local communities. It also confirms the ability of the transplanted lichen P. tinctorum to be an effective biomonitoring tool for airborne PTEs in natural environments.

Emission load analysis of land transportation on urban roads in Jember regency, Indonesia (a case study of Sultan Agung Road)

Jember Regency is located in East Java with a population density of 2,536,729 people in 2020. The higher population in Jember will be proportional to the high transportation activity. This will cause problems regarding air pollution due to vehicle exhaust emissions in Jember Regency. The aims of this study are to estimate the annual emission load of air pollutants on a segment of Jember City's urban roads and to recommend emission reduction strategies. The selection of strategies is conducted by considering experts’ judgments through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Sultan Agung Road in Jember City was the target of this study because it is a national road in the middle of a busy shopping area around it. The results of this study show that the emission burden generated from the land transportation sector on Sultan Agung Road in Jember Regency includes 177.486 tons of CO/year; 48.638 tons of HC/year; 9.481 tons of NO2/year; 2.534 tons of PM10/year; 1,245.15 tons of CO2 /year and 0.421 tons of SO2 /year. Three strategies recommended by the experts to reduce emissions are BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Operational Development, The use of Solar Cells in Public Street Lighting, and Smart Driving.

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL QUANTIFICATION OF PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10) AND ASSOCIATED HEAVY METALS IN URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF DELHI

Atmospheric concentrations of PM10 and associated heavy metals were quantified to study the air pollution load of two distinct location of Delhi viz. (1) Agricultural farms of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and (2) Yamuna flood plains (YFP). The air sampling has been done for two consecutive years in winter season, comprising the months from November to April in 2020- 21 and 2021-22 respectively. The glass fiber filter paper was used for the particulate matter deposition in high volume sampler. The monthly average concentration of PM10 varies from 112µg/ m3 to 187µg/m3 at IARI and 205 µg/m3 to 364 µg/m3 at YFP. The highest concentration of PM10 was recorded in the month of January. The concentration of PM10 and associated heavy metals were significantly higher at the YFP area. The heavy metal concentration load was 18% and 27% more in the YFP in comparison to the IARI farms in the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively. The higher concentration of heavy metals recorded at YFP because of its location which is cross section of roads having very heavy traffic throughout 24 hrs. and a thermal power plant nearby. The heavy metals concentration trend at each location was in the order of Zn > Fe>Pb>Ni>Cd. The concentration of Pb, Ni, and Cd was significantly less at IARI in comparison to YFP.

Review of Secondary Aerosol Formation and Its Contribution in Air Pollution Load of Delhi NCR

Review of Secondary Aerosol Formation and Its Contribution in Air Pollution Load of Delhi NCR

Quantitative assessment and mitigation measures of air pollution from crematoria in NCT of Delhi.

The modernization of crematoria and replacement of existing fuel requirements for better air quality is a key challenge in view of the associated religious beliefs in India where conventional open pyre funeral practices are followed. Unlike developed nations, the lack of appropriate site selection criteria, combustion efficient crematorium oven designs, and pollution control devices at these facilities necessitates formulation of appropriate policy measures to reduce emissions. The existing practices do not address such localized sources that affects the micro air pollution patterns owing to their marginal contribution in the total air pollution load of the city. The present study is thus an attempt to estimate emissions from 51 cremation grounds identified in NCT of Delhi. The study considers both particulate and gaseous pollutants which are released due to burning of fuels like wood, CNG, and cow dung. It is estimated that cremation activities contributed 393 tons/year of PM2.5, 142 tons/year of NOx, 29 tons/year of SO2, and 2686 tons/year of CO in year 2019. The maximum load was emitted from Central district as only Nigambodh Ghat crematoria receives on an average 60 bodies per day. Furthermore, air quality impact zone around crematoria has been demarcated using dispersion modelling considering crematorium with minimum and maximum number of bodies burnt in a day. The study also suggests control measures for reduction of pollution from cremation activities and delineates a buffer zone that could aid policymakers in establishing a site selection criterion to prevent the immediate population from likely exposure.

Increased allostatic load associated with ambient air pollution acting as a stressor: Cross-sectional evidence from the China multi-ethnic cohort study

BackgroundAllostatic load measures the cumulative biological burden imposed by chronic stressors. Emerging experimental evidence supports that air pollution acting as a stressor activates the neuroendocrine system and then produces multi-organ effects, leading to allostatic load. However, relevant epidemiological evidence is limited. ObjectivesWe aim to explore the relationships between chronic exposure to ambient air pollution (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and O3) and allostatic load in Chinese adults. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 85,545 participants aged 30–79 from the baseline data of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC). Ambient air pollution levels were evaluated by a satellite-based random forest approach. The previous three-year average exposure concentrations were calculated for each participant based on the residential address. The outcome allostatic load was identified through the sum of the sex-specific scores of twelve biomarkers belonging to four major categories: cardiovascular, metabolic, anthropometric, and inflammatory parameters. We performed statistical analysis using a doubly robust approach which relies on inverse probability weighting and outcome model to adjust for confounding. ResultsLong-term exposure to ambient air pollution was significantly associated with an increased risk of allostatic load, with relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 1.040 (1.024, 1.057), 1.029 (1. 018, 1. 039), and 1.087 (1.074, 1.101) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in ambient PM2.5, PM10, and O3, respectively. No significant relationship was observed between chronic exposure to PM1 and allostatic load. The associations between air pollution and allostatic load are modified by some intrinsic factors and non-chemical stressors. The people with older, minority, lower education, and lower-income levels had a significantly higher allostatic load induced by air pollution. ConclusionsChronic exposure to ambient PM2.5, PM10, and O3 may increase the allostatic load. This finding provides epidemiological evidence that air pollution may be a chronic stressor, leading to widespread physiological burdens.

EFFECT OF IMISSION TO XYLEM ANATOMY OF NORWAY SPRUCE

The aim of this work was to analyse the relationship between anatomical parameters of spruce tracheidsand climatic factors and air pollution load, in the period before, during and after the maximum air pollution load. In this study we used the method of dividing annual rings into a number of equally wide sectors, for which the average values of the tracheid dimensions, i.e., the lumen area and cell wall width, were determined. This method was compared to the classic approach, which works with the average values of parameters for the entire annual ring, or for earlywood and latewood. The study showed that the trees responded to the increased concentration of pollutants by reducing the widths of the annual rings and the values of the anatomical parameters. The higher resolution of data gives us a better insight on the influence of abiotic factors to the wood structure. The ratio of cell wall thicknesses ofearlywood to latewood was also shown asa good indicator of stress.

Regional flow climatology for central Mexico (Queretaro): a first case study

A flow climatology was established for the Metropolitan Area of Queretaro (MAQ), in central Mexico, by analyzing four years (2014-2017) of back-trajectories generated using the HYSPLIT Model. Two flow regimes were found: one from June until September (rainy regime); the other from December to May (dry regime). October and November were considered transition months. Northeasterly flows were present throughout the year; in contrast, trajectories from the southwest were much less frequent and observed mainly during the dry regime. An analysis of the wind fields from the NARR database for a longer period of time (1979 – 2019), suggests that these results are representative of the average conditions of the atmosphere at the study site. Some of the northeasterly trajectories observed originate within a desertic region of the state of Queretaro, where several limestone mines are located. During the dry regime and transition months some clusters originate at the industrial area in Guanajuato, which includes the Salamanca refinery. As air transport of pollutants follow these paths, this analysis could be useful for identifying regional sources that affect the MAQ and possibly increase its air pollution load. In fact, the variability of criteria pollutants concentrations matched the flow regimes described above.

Elemental Characteristics of Respirable Particulate Matter in the Urban Atmosphere of Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India

To evaluate the ambient air quality of the Dehradun city, respirable particulate matter was collected using respirable dust sampler (RDS) and analysed for the heavy metal content using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The morphology of particulates were determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the elemental composition was determined through SEM- energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Particulate matter mass concentration ranged from 65.00 µg m-3 to 337.33 µg m-3. Quantified heavy metals in particulate matter were Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). The order of concentration of heavy metals were found to be in the trend of Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni>Mn>Co>Cd. Maximum concentration of PM10 was found at commercial site during summer, winter and monsoon season. Enrichment factor analysis showed substantial contribution of anthropogenic activities on PM10. Source apportionment (varimax rotated factor analysis method) showed dominance of incineration and uncontrolled burning of waste and refuses, resuspended dust with vehicular emission and crustal sources as the dominant sources in Dehradun. Plantation drive strategy have major role in ambient particulate matter mitigation measures and carbon sequestration from climate change and global problem worldwide. This study will be help to mitigate or decrease the load of air pollution by the using of various trees for sustainable human development on the marvellous earth planet.

Assessing the air quality of megacities during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a case study from Makkah City, Saudi Arabia

Many countries are concerned about how concentrations of outdoor air pollutants have decreased due to control measures aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. In Saudi Arabia, the measures started with suspending entry to Saudi Arabia on February 27, 2020, and ended with full prevention of Saudis for outdoor movement on April 2, 2020, until the back return to normal life by the start of September 2020. These measures are expected to impact air quality levels during this period by decreasing the concentrations of air pollutants. This paper investigates the major trends of ambient air pollution (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, and PM10), and maps the spatiotemporal variability of air pollutants in Makkah city, using a continuous air quality monitoring network (6 sites) during the pre-pandemic period. Findings indicate the presence of a significant decrease of concentration rates during the lockdown period, compared with the pre-pandemic period, by 26.34% for SO2, 28.99% for NO2, 26.24% for CO, 11.62% for O3, and 30.03% for PM10. Therefore, the vehicular traffic activities represent 25–30% of the total air pollution load in Makkah city. The COVID-19 lockdown conditions in Makkah provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of the reduction of vehicular traffic activities on the air quality levels of Makkah city and similar mega-cities and introduce credible solutions to improve the conditions of the ambient environment and air quality in such settings.

Research and Analysis of the State and Development of Woody Plants in The Squares of the City of Krasnoyarsk

The article presents the results of studies in different areas of the city of Krasnoyarsk with different levels of anthropogenic load and different levels of air pollution. An analysis was made of the stability of the development of woody plants in the squares of the city of Krasnoyarsk using the example of birch drooping according to two indicators: the asymmetry coefficient for five parameters of the leaves and the asymmetry value for the area of the leaves. The results of the study showed that technogenic impacts lead to a change in the size and magnitude of the fluctuating asymmetry of the drooping birch leaves. In the area with average extent of pollution decrease in stability of the development, being expressed in increase of values of indicators of asymmetry is noted. The greatest decrease in stability of development is noted in selection with a maximum level of pollution. According to the conducted researches, wood plants react to influence of an urban environment, thus methods of a dendroindikation are a theoretical basis of development of recommendations for an assessment of a condition of an urban environment.

Using heart rate to estimate the minute ventilation and inhaled load of air pollutants

The health effects of air pollution are associated with the concentration of pollutants and ventilation (VE). VE is difficult to measure directly and has been predicted by heart rate (HR). However, it is unclear whether equations between HR and VE obtained from a laboratory cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) can be extended to external groups and there is still a gap in their relationship for a Chinese population. To establish an association between HR and VE in young Chinese individuals and verify the external validity of the model. Eighty non-smoking participants aged 16-21years underwent incremental tests using a bicycle ergometer, where the HR and minute VE were measured simultaneously. Linear mixed models were constructed with data obtained from a CPET. Ten individuals were chosen randomly as the external validation group. The predictive performance was assessed using an eight-fold cross-validation procedure. Air pollution concentration was monitored during the CPET and the inhaled load was calculated. The overall estimation of the intercept and slope for all participants was 0.585±0.013 and 0.007±0.00002, respectively. The overall fitted R squared (R2) was 0.84. The median difference between the measured VE and the predicted VE was 0.3L/min, and the difference between the inhaled load based on the fitted VE and the measured VE was 0.0-0.3μg across all the participants. The eight folds cross-validation R2 value was 0.78, suggesting high predictive accuracy. This is the first study to derive a novel equation for the relationship between HR and VE in a young Chinese population and verify its external validity. This will be important in the assessment of the inhaled load in future epidemiology studies. However, inter-individual variations should also be considered when VE is estimated at an individual level.

Показники гуморального імунітету хворих на неонатальний сепсис за різних умов екологічного забруднення місць проживання батьків

The aim is to determine the indicators of humoral immunity of patients with neonatal sepsis under different conditions of environmental pollution of their parents' places of residence. Materials and methods. 260 patients with neonatal sepsis born to parents who lived in different environmental conditions were examined. An environmental risk factor (CER) was proposed as a group-forming feature of a comprehensive assessment of the long+term load of anthropogenic air, water and soil pollution in the regions of the region on the body of parents of newborns, taking into account the environmental situation in regional centers. Results. The level of IgA in the serum of patients with neonatal sepsis in group I was 0.82±0.11 g/l against 1.54±0.23 g/l (p<0.05) in group II, the level of IgG in children I groups — 4.27±0.45 g/l against 6.67±0.77 g/l (p<0.05) of group II. The decrease in IgM content had no significant differences, but there was a tendency to reduce its level in children of group I. Conclusions. The constant residence of parents in areas with a high risk of adverse effects of these environmental factors on their body (ERF<2.0) contributed to a decrease in the level of immunoglobulins A, M, G in the serum of patients with neonatal sepsis, compared with newborns whose parents lived in areas with a low risk of adverse effects (ERF<2.0), and were more likely to have severe neonatal sepsis. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of these Institutes. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the author. Key words: neonatal sepsis, pollution, immunoglobulins.

A CASE STUDY ON AIR POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH IN GREATER CHENNAI

Air pollution has significant effects on exacerbation of asthma, allergy and other respiratory diseases. Like many other mega cities in the world the ambient air quality of Chennai is also being deteriorated day by day. Automobile exhausts and certain industrial pollutants produce O3 by photochemical reactions. The particulate matter, particularly less than 10 m in size, can pass through the natural protective mechanism of human respiratory system and plays an important role in genesis and augmentation of allergic disorders. Sources of air pollution in the area and the unique problem arising out of the emission from the vehicles, industries, etc. have been described. A major study was Anna Nagar, Adyar, Kilpuak, T. Nagar and Vallalar Nagar. The main objective is to study the adverse health effects of exposure to ambient air pollution in different areas of Chennai city and examines the patterns of total number of Vehicles in Chennai city. The analysis results the relationship between the levels of air pollution and the percentage of affected people in selected area of Chennai city. This paper tries to assess the air quality and human health due to air pollution loads and human health impacts on major road networks of Greater Chennai. Keywords: Pollution; Transport; Vehicle emission; Air quality; Human Health

Ozone (O3) ambient levels as a secondary airborne precursor in Fahaheel urban area, the State of Kuwait

AbstractTwo years of continuous monitoring data over two time‐spans (2004–2005 and 2014–2015) were used to investigate the relationship between ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOX ≈ NO + NO2) in Fahaheel urban area (Kuwait). Their relationship was used to understand their chemical reactions and the NO2 and O3 concentration ratio to gain an insight into the sources of total atmospheric oxides (OX = O3 + NO2) levels. A Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) model was developed to detect likely point sources around the monitoring station and quantify their contribution to the overall air pollution load. Hourly diurnal variations in O3 ground level concentrations during weekends showed a slight increase in O3 levels. In addition, it was observed that overall hourly average O3 concentration reached higher levels during weekdays and weekends in 2004–2005 compared to 2014–2015. The concentration of photochemical oxidants (e.g., O3 and NO2) can be decreased by controlling the emissions of their precursors; NOX and VOCs. The net effect of NOX emissions on O3 concentrations was negative with a weak exponential decline correlation between NOX and O3, indicating Fahaheel urban area's VOC‐sensitive characteristics. For all years considered, the slopes of the linear OX–NOX relationships were higher during daytime compared to night‐time, showing that NO2 oxidations were dominant during daytime and that O3 net production was high. The study also showed the high NOX oxidation level and the possible presence of O3 net production. The slopes during night‐time indicated that NO2 consumption exceeded its formation rate. During day and night‐time, the NO2/NOX ratio was found to decline significantly as newly emitted NOX increased, supporting the area's VOC‐sensitive nature. By setting up a CMB model around the Fahaheel receptor point, it was revealed that downstream petroleum facilities have been the major contributor to pollutants environmental load over the years.