Measurement of criteria air pollutants in a residential area of Kuwait

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Air pollution may be defined as an atmospheric problem, which results in the deterioration of environmental quality and the air we breathe. Air pollution may be classified into two types according to the nature of formation: primary air pollutants or criteria air pollutants which are emitted from their sources directly to the atmosphere and secondary air pollutants which result from the chemical reaction between the primary pollutants. Examples of primary pollutants or criteria air pollutants are sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC). Examples of secondary pollutants are photochemical oxidants and ozone (O3). Traffic is a major source of air pollution in the urban area in Kuwait. In this study, we report the measurement of ozone levels in a residential area of Kuwait. The data collected illustrated that the levels of ozone during daytime ranged from moderate 45 ppb to levels reaching higher than 80 ppb. It was concluded that ambient air temperature and sunlight intensity in the presence of NOx and VOC sources (plenty of cars and absence of vegetation) played a major role in the production of ozone. At night time, lower ozone levels were detected. In addition, levels of SO2, CO, and Pb in the same residential area of Kuwait were both collected and compared to data belonging to O3, NO2 and NMHC. Such comparison will determine whether the levels of primary air pollutants are seasonal or correlated with heavy traffic movement during rush hours.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Chemical Society - 237th National Meeting and Exposition, ACS 2009, Abstracts of Scientific Papers
StatePublished - 2009
Event237th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society, ACS 2009 - Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Duration: 22 Mar 200926 Mar 2009

Publication series

NameACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
ISSN (Print)0065-7727

Conference

Conference237th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society, ACS 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySalt Lake City, UT
Period22/03/0926/03/09

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