Environment: Development of the air quality monitoring system and enhancement of the efficiency of its devices and stations

The Public Authority for Environment (PAE) has reaffirmed its continuous commitment to monitoring and tracking air quality across various regions of the country, reflecting Kuwait’s strong interest in air quality and its significant role in protecting human health and preserving the environment.

Speaking to KUNA on the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air, Eng. Sharif Al-Khayyat, Director of the Air Quality Monitoring Department at the PAE, stated that the Authority relies on a specialized system for monitoring air quality through fixed and mobile stations, which contributes to providing accurate data and indicators on ambient pollutant levels.

He explained that air quality monitoring stations measure and track various pollutants and factors affecting air quality. Data is collected and analyzed continuously every five minutes to support environmental assessments and monitor any changes in pollutant levels.

Al-Khayyat emphasized the Authority’s dedication to operating, maintaining, and calibrating monitoring station equipment to ensure the accuracy and continuity of the data obtained.

He noted that the Authority has enhanced its capabilities in air quality monitoring by providing fixed and mobile stations and specialized equipment for measuring pollutants, enabling it to handle diverse conditions and locations and to monitor air pollution sources and impacts more comprehensively.

He pointed out that Kuwait’s climatic conditions, including high temperatures, sandstorms, and dust storms, can have a direct impact on air quality levels, making continuous monitoring and data analysis essential for understanding changes in air quality and identifying the factors influencing them.

Regarding scientific cooperation to find sustainable solutions in this regard, Al-Khayyat highlighted the Authority’s collaboration with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in the United States to study the impacts of air pollutants on air quality and human health, whether from local or transboundary sources. This collaboration also includes training national cadres to analyze and study data and correlate it with prevailing regional climatic factors, as part of a project scheduled for completion in December 2027.

He stated that monitoring data is a fundamental element in supporting environmental efforts and taking appropriate measures, while also contributing to raising public awareness about air quality levels and the factors that may affect them. He stressed the importance of integration among government entities, the private sector, and individuals to reduce emission sources and preserve air quality.

Al-Khayyat affirmed the Authority’s ongoing efforts to develop its air quality monitoring system and enhance the efficiency of its equipment and stations, in line with Kuwait’s objectives of protecting the environment and achieving sustainability. He noted that improving air quality is a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation of all members of society and adherence to environmental regulations and standards.

He called for strengthening sound environmental practices and reducing air pollution sources, emphasizing that maintaining clean and pure air is an essential part of protecting community health and improving the quality of life in Kuwait.