: Dubai Municipality has said it has identified the hot spots of air pollution and taken action against violators as part of its efforts to maintain air quality that conforms to global standards.
The civic body’s statement follows a WHO report this week that found the UAE enjoying one of the lowest pollution levels globally.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said in a media statement that the air quality in Dubai conforms to the approved international level with data from 13 monitoring stations showing that it reached 88 per cent by the end of 2015, whereas the target level is only 85 per cent.
He said 13 smart stations monitor the air quality in different locations of the emirate covering industrial, commercial and residential areas as well as on major roads. They monitor emissions of air pollutants resulting from various sectors such as energy production, transport and industries.
He noted there is close cooperation between the municipality and these sectors to ensure commitment to reduce emissions polluting the air to the extent that it is guaranteed that targets of the country and the emirate in the field of air quality are achieved. This cooperation is realised by preparing an air quality strategy in the emirate of Dubai for 2016-2021, added Lootah.
Alya Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, director of Environment Department, said the municipality’s Air Quality Strategy Project aims at achieving 90 per cent of the air quality index as the target within the national agenda and Dubai plan for 2021.
“Since the work started on the strategy, in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council and in cooperation with various strategic partners, a workshop was held to introduce the strategy project and the direction of the municipality in this area to achieve the air quality target. It is considered to be a first-of-its-kind project in the Middle East,” said Al Harmoudi.
Source: Gulf News
