Measurement of criteria air pollutants in a residential area of Kuwait

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 NO_x 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.