Dubai's Air Pollution: Understanding The Root Causes

Air pollution is a pressing issue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of its citizens and residents. The primary contributor to this problem is the country's significant fossil fuel production and use, which releases toxic pollutants into the atmosphere. This has led to alarmingly high levels of air pollution, as documented in reports and analyses by organisations like Human Rights Watch. The situation is exacerbated by the UAE's expansion of oil and gas operations, despite global efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. The health impacts are acutely felt by migrant workers, who make up a significant portion of the UAE's population and face elevated risks due to a lack of information and protection from air pollution.

Fossil fuel production

According to the World Bank data, the mean annual exposure to PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) in the UAE is more than eight times higher than the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This level of pollution has severe health implications, with approximately 1,872 people dying every year from outdoor air pollution in the UAE.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) analysed data from 30 government ground monitoring stations in September 2023 and found that average levels of PM2.5 were almost three times the daily recommended levels under WHO guidelines. HRW also reviewed government documents, analysed air pollution data from UAE government websites and satellite data, and interviewed migrants who work outdoors. The average 2022 concentration of PM10 (particles with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 microns) from 50 sites was more than eight times the yearly WHO recommendation.

The UAE's expansion of oil and gas operations, including daily gas flaring, directly contributes to the high levels of air pollution. Despite commitments to a policy of zero routine flaring, state-run oil and gas fields continue to flare gas, releasing toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.

The UAE government has attributed poor air quality primarily to natural dust from sandstorms. However, academic studies contradict this claim, highlighting that natural causes are not the sole or major factor in the country's air pollution crisis.

Flaring gas

The UAE has committed to a policy of zero-routine flaring; however, state-run oil and gas fields have been flaring gas on a near-daily basis. This practice has been linked to the country's expanding oil and gas operations, despite the scientific consensus that fossil fuels must be phased out to mitigate climate change.

The contribution of flaring gas to air pollution in the UAE was investigated by the BBC, which found that the country was breaking its own ban on gas flaring during the COP28 climate summit. The BBC estimated the impact of flaring emissions on air quality through regional chemical-transport model (CTM) simulations. These simulations allowed for the estimation of how pollutants emitted from flares disperse and interact with the background atmospheric composition.

The toxic gas released during flaring has been linked to serious health risks for residents and migrant workers in Dubai and the UAE. According to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), the country's air pollution levels are dangerously high, with average levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) almost three times the daily recommended levels by the World Health Organization (WHO). HRW also reported that migrant workers experienced breathing air that burned their lungs, breathlessness, and itchy skin.

While some companies, such as ENI and PetroChina, have expressed commitments to reducing and minimizing gas flaring, the practice continues to be a concern in Dubai and the UAE, contributing to air pollution and associated health risks.

Poor awareness among migrant workers

Dubai's air pollution is a result of its vast fossil fuel production and use, which spews toxic pollutants into the air and contributes to climate change. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a part, has dangerously high air pollution levels, primarily due to its fossil fuel industry. This has created major health risks for its citizens, residents, and the large population of migrant workers in the country, who make up 88% of the population and virtually all outdoor workers.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has brought attention to the issue, reporting that the UAE's air pollution levels are much higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations. According to the latest World Bank data, the mean annual exposure to PM2.5 in the UAE is more than eight times higher than what the WHO considers safe. These tiny toxic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and easily enter the bloodstream. As a result, an estimated 1,872 people die annually from outdoor air pollution in the UAE.

While the UAE government acknowledges the poor air quality, they primarily attribute it to natural dust from sandstorms. However, academic studies and HRW analysis of government data, satellite data, and interviews with migrants who work outdoors, reveal a different picture. The analysis found that average levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were several times higher than the WHO's daily and yearly recommendations, respectively.

Migrant workers, who are already at a higher risk due to their outdoor work, face additional dangers due to their lack of awareness about air pollution. Many reported breathing air that burned their lungs, breathlessness, and itchy skin, but they had little information about the risks and did not know where to turn for help. They were unaware of government websites or other sources to access current air pollution levels and often received no advance warnings for poor air quality, except in cases of extreme sandstorms. This lack of awareness and access to information puts them at even greater risk and highlights the need for better communication and education on air pollution among migrant workers in Dubai and the UAE.

The poor awareness among migrant workers about air pollution in Dubai can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, language barriers may play a role, as information about air quality and health risks may not be effectively communicated in languages understood by all migrant workers. Additionally, many migrant workers may have limited access to technology or the internet, which could hinder their ability to access government websites or apps that provide real-time air quality data. Cultural and educational barriers may also contribute, as some migrant workers may not be familiar with the concept of air pollution and its health implications, especially if they come from less industrialized countries or regions.

To address this issue, the UAE government and relevant organizations should take proactive steps to improve communication and raise awareness among migrant workers. This could include providing information and educational programs in multiple languages, ensuring that air quality data and health advisories are easily accessible and widely disseminated, and offering training and workshops on recognizing and mitigating the health risks associated with air pollution. By empowering migrant workers with knowledge and resources, they can better protect themselves from the harmful effects of air pollution and make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Inadequate government action

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has been criticised for its inadequate response to the country's air pollution crisis, which is a significant contributor to climate change and poses major health risks to its citizens and residents, particularly migrant workers. Despite the UAE's efforts to portray itself as a global leader in climate action, hosting the COP28 United Nations climate conference in Dubai, the country's massive fossil fuel production and use release toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) organisation has been highly critical of the UAE government's inaction on air pollution. HRW's analysis of data from 30 government ground monitoring stations in September 2023 revealed that the average levels of PM2.5, tiny toxic particles that can enter the bloodstream, were nearly three times the daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is particularly concerning given that an estimated 1,872 people die annually in the UAE from outdoor air pollution, according to the WHO.

The UAE government has largely attributed poor air quality to natural dust from sandstorms. However, academic research has refuted this claim, demonstrating that natural factors are not the primary cause of air pollution in the country. Furthermore, the government has a history of targeting environmental activists and critics with surveillance, arrest, and detention, creating a climate of fear that discourages people from speaking out about the dangers of fossil fuel expansion and its connection to air pollution.

The HRW report also highlighted the plight of migrant workers, who make up 88% of the UAE's population and the majority of outdoor workers. These workers reported experiencing air pollution symptoms such as burning lungs, breathlessness, and itchy skin, yet they lacked information and resources to protect themselves. The UAE government's failure to adequately address these issues and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents and workers underscores the inadequacy of their response to the air pollution crisis.

Natural dust from sandstorms

Sandstorms are a common occurrence in Dubai, and they have a significant impact on the city's air quality. These storms are a natural phenomenon in the deserts of the Middle East and Northern Africa, and they usually blow into the Arabian Gulf due to prevailing southerly winds. The sandstorms in Dubai can cause a complete loss of visibility and leave a haze of red dust in the atmosphere.

The dust and particulate matter stirred up by sandstorms pose serious health risks to residents. The particles can enter indoor spaces and have adverse effects on human health, particularly when they are smaller in size, such as PM2.5. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to respiratory infections and other health issues. The indoor penetration of outdoor particulate matter is influenced by factors such as building design and ventilation systems.

Studies have shown that buildings with higher infiltration rates, especially those relying on natural ventilation, are more susceptible to outdoor particulate matter infiltration. This highlights the importance of improved ventilation systems and the implementation of effective mitigation strategies to reduce indoor air pollution in Dubai's urban environment.

Additionally, sandstorms in Dubai frequently disrupt air traffic and cause delays. They can also damage buildings and machinery, underscoring the need for effective solutions to minimize their impact on the city's infrastructure and residents' well-being.

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