EPA mulls two projects worth KD 4.3m to improve air quality
Authority denies reports on beach pollution
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 8: The Environment Public Authority while confirming “the accuracy and efficiency of the air quality monitoring station systems in terms of air pollutants distributed over a number of residential areas in the country” has said that two new projects have been initiated at a cost of 4.3 million dinars to improve the air quality, reports Al-Qabas daily.
The authority explained the rise of fine particles with a size of 2.5 microns, according to what was disclosed by the air quality monitoring stations in the Mansourieh and Al-Salam regions accompanied by an increase in relative humidity in the air during the afternoon, the air monitoring stations observed increasing number of these pollutants at different intervals.
Monitoring
The EPA stated the air monitoring system operates with high accuracy, and indicators for measuring pollutants are published on authority’s official website, and citizens are warned with every rise in the pollutant monitoring indicator that “this atmosphere is unhealthy, especially for those who suffer from respiratory ailments and asthma.
For his part, a member of the Environmental Protection Society, meteorologist Issa Ramadan, said “high humidity, car emissions, suspended dust and light winds cause a state of stillness and thermal reflection, which traps pollutants and increases it, and it is a climatic reason for the increase in pollution rates in the Al-Salam and Mansourieh regions.”
The EPA seeks, through the 2035 development plans projects in which it participates within sustainable living environment project, to improve air quality in the country, monitor changes in its quality and stop the various infringements that occur to it, through the implementation of a series of projects supporting this orientation.
According to the EPA the two projects whose implementation is concerned with improving the air quality in the country will contribute to “analyzing and evaluating all air quality data, monitoring and follow-up, using automated devices, equipment and systems, in line with environmental standards, and preparing and operating an integrated environmental center in the Eastern Shuaiba Industrial Area, to implement control and inspection work, collect and analyze samples, and prepare reports and studies.” And follow up the implementation of compliance with environmental standards and requirements.
Projects
Ratios and figures for air quality projects include — 4.3 million dinars cost of two projects to improve air quality; 2024, the date for completion and delivery of the two projects; 38% completion rate of monitoring stations in the Shuaiba area; 26% completion rate of the preparatory stage in Shuaiba; 20 Kuwaitis to operate stations and monitor changes.
6 goals to ensure a safe environment — increasing the number of monitoring networks in the country, training of staff on monitoring and control, preparing equipment, techniques and laboratories for the analysis of samples; inspection and inspection of factories and the marine environment, adhering to environmental standards and taking the necessary measures and permanent monitoring of the rise of pollutants above normal levels.
Meanwhile, the Environment Public Authority (EPA) has denied the reports being circulated on social media about the presence of pollution on beaches, specifically near the Scientific Center and Kuwait Towers, reports Aljarida daily.
It stressed the need for the social media users to verify the accuracy of news and information before publishing them.
Circulated
Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at EPA Sheikha Al-Ibrahim told KUNA that the video clip being circulated “is old and baseless. It was posted several years ago to mislead the community. It was not inferred from the name of the expert or the research body that appointed him”.
She explained that EPA inspected the aforementioned sites and conducted field surveys with the cooperation of the concerned authorities such as the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait University, the Directorate General of Coast Guard, and the Environment Police.
The surveys and laboratory results of the samples taken from those sites indicated that they are within the limits of the permissible rates according to the Environmental Protection Law and its executive regulations. Periodic tests are conducted by the research and control authorities to ensure the health and safety of Kuwaiti fish.
Sheikha Al-Ibrahim stressed the need to investigate accuracy of information before disseminating it, and to abide by article 126 of the Environmental Protection Law, which states that, “It is prohibited to publish rumors and false news or information about the environmental situation in the country or any of its components which may cause public panic or question the quality of the environmental situation, unless it is based on scientific facts. This is aimed to preserve social security and the state stature.”