Kuwait City: In recent days, Kuwait’s air pollution has drastically increased bringing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to the fourth tier deemed ‘unhealthy’.
According to the AQI scale, Kuwait’s air pollution level is 151, which means everyone may begin to experience health effects and members of sensitive groups are most vulnerable.
The Green Line environmental group, a non-profit Kuwait based organization, detected an increase in the air pollutant matter, especially 2.5pm (particulate matter). The particulate matter is so small they can not be seen through the naked eye.
Respiratory diseases
The concern over the increase in 2.5pm is a serious health risk as it is a carcinogenic that enters ones’ lungs if simply breathed. With time, breathing it in can lead to respiratory diseases, like asthma and tightness in the chest.
A week ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized Kuwait’s air quality as unsafe. It explained that the reason for the poor air quality is due to vehicle and industrial emission, oil refineries and dust storms.
Green Line stated that although the Environment Public Authority (EPA) is legally responsible to address the issue of air pollution, they have failed to do so.
