Meghan Hodges
Air pollution in the Middle East is a pressing issue that has severe consequences for human health and economic development in the region. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries are among the world's top emitters of CO2 and SO2 per capita, with cities like Cairo suffering from high levels of nitrogen oxide in the air. The sources of air pollution in the Middle East vary, including dust, dirt, smoke, gases, and heavy metals, with PM2.5 particles being particularly harmful to human health. The economic costs of air pollution in the region are significant, with an estimated 125,000 premature deaths in 2013 and welfare losses amounting to about $154 billion, or 2.2% of the regional GDP.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diseases associated with air pollution that caused premature deaths | About 7% of all premature deaths in the Middle East and North Africa in 2013 |
| Number of lives lost in the Middle East and North Africa due to diseases associated with air pollution | 125,000 in 2013 |
| Aggregate cost of premature deaths attributable to air pollution in the Middle East and North Africa | $154 billion in 2013 |
| Aggregate cost of premature deaths attributable to air pollution worldwide | $5 trillion in 2013 |
| Percentage of the population exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution in low and middle-income countries | 90% |
| Countries with the worst air pollution in the Middle East | Egypt and Iran |
| Cities with the worst air pollution in the Middle East | Cairo |
| Gases causing air pollution | Nitrogen oxide, CO2, SO2 |
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What You'll Learn
High levels of nitrogen oxide in cities like Cairo
Nitrogen oxide is a major air pollutant in cities like Cairo, with the city ranking among the worst in the world for nitrogen oxide presence. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a pollutant generated primarily through the burning of fuels in vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities. As a significant component of vehicle exhaust, NO2 is often used as a proxy for tracking traffic-related air pollution.
Cairo's high levels of nitrogen oxide are largely due to the city's heavy traffic. Fumes from vehicles, combined with suspended particulate matter (including lead) and sand blown in from the neighbouring Western Desert, create an almost permanent haze over the city. The high population density of Cairo also contributes to the high levels of nitrogen oxide, as population-weighted annual average pollutant concentrations are considered when evaluating air quality.
In addition to traffic, industrial sites and the burning of garbage and agricultural waste contribute to the high levels of nitrogen oxide in Cairo. The heavy use of pesticides, inadequate sewage disposal, and uncontrolled industrial effluents have also created major environmental problems in Egypt, impacting air quality.
The effects of nitrogen oxide pollution on human health are significant. NO2 irritates the airways and is linked to more frequent and severe asthma symptoms. It may also increase a child's likelihood of developing asthma. The high levels of nitrogen oxide in Cairo, therefore, pose a risk to the respiratory health of the city's residents and contribute to the overall poor air quality of the city.
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CO2 and SO2 emissions
The Middle East is among the world's top emitters of CO2 and SO2 per capita. A 2016 report by the World Bank and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation found that air pollution caused an estimated 125,000 premature deaths in the Middle East and North Africa in 2013. This led to labour income losses of over $9 billion in the region.
Egypt and Iran were among the worst affected countries in terms of deaths and economic costs. Across all age groups, the aggregate cost of premature deaths attributable to air pollution in the Middle East and North Africa was about $154 billion, or 2.2% of the regional GDP.
One of the most damaging pollutants is PM2.5, tiny particles that are about 1/30th the width of a human hair. These particles can penetrate deep into people's lungs and are known to cause deadly illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease. According to the World Bank, about 90% of the population in low and middle-income countries are exposed to dangerous levels of ambient air pollution.
To reduce air pollution, the World Bank works with developing countries and development partners to support monitoring and analysis, regulatory reforms, and interventions in sectors such as transport, energy, and urban planning. Improvements in democratic development in the Middle East and North Africa countries have also been found to help mitigate environmental problems.
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Ambient air pollution in heavily populated, fast-urbanizing areas
Several factors contribute to ambient air pollution in these areas. One of the primary sources is emissions from vehicles and industrial activities, which release pollutants such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM2.5). Cairo, for instance, is notorious for its high levels of nitrogen oxide in the air, making it one of the worst cities globally for this particular pollutant.
Particulate matter, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, is of particular concern. These tiny particles, often originating from dust, smoke, and vehicle emissions, can penetrate deep into people's lungs, causing severe health issues, including lung cancer and heart disease. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2013 report, about 90% of the population in low and middle-income countries are exposed to dangerous levels of ambient air pollution, which includes many countries in the Middle East.
The Middle East and North Africa region are also among the world's top emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) per capita. The rapid urbanization and development in these regions contribute to the increasing emissions and air pollution levels. Additionally, the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating homes, although not limited to urban areas, is another source of indoor air pollution, which also contributes to the overall air quality issues in the region.
To address the challenges of ambient air pollution in heavily populated, fast-urbanizing areas of the Middle East, interventions are needed in various sectors. These include improvements in transport, energy, and urban planning. Strengthening democratic institutions in the region has also been suggested as a way to mitigate local environmental problems, including air quality issues. By working with developing countries and implementing regulatory reforms, there is a chance to reduce dangerous emissions, mitigate climate change, and ultimately save lives.
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Household air pollution from cooking and heating with solid fuels
Household air pollution is caused by the use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies in and around the home. This includes the use of solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, dung, and crop residues, as well as kerosene, in open fires and inefficient stoves for cooking and heating. These fuels release dangerous particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants, leading to indoor air pollution levels that can be much higher than the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines.
The World Health Organization estimates that around 2.1 billion people worldwide cook using solid fuels, with a large proportion of these people being poor and living in low- and middle-income countries. The lack of access to electricity forces households to rely on polluting devices and fuels, exposing them to very high levels of fine particulate matter. In addition, the time spent using and preparing fuel for inefficient devices constrains opportunities for health and development, such as studying, leisure, and other productive activities.
The combustion of solid fuels emits black carbon (sooty particles) and methane, which are powerful short-lived climate pollutants. The use of solid fuels for cooking and heating also contributes to forest degradation and land use changes, including the loss of wildlife habitat. The World Health Organization estimates that exposure to emissions from solid fuels causes approximately 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide annually, with approximately 237,000 of these deaths being children under the age of five. The greatest burden of household air pollution-related premature deaths is in children with pneumonia exposed to biomass smoke, while in adults, it is estimated to be cardiovascular disease.
To address the issue of household air pollution from solid fuel combustion, organizations like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) work with government agencies and partner organizations to increase the use of cleaner home cooking technologies and fuels that are affordable, reliable, efficient, and safer. The EPA's Clean Air Catalyst flagship program, for instance, aims to build capacity for locally tailored solutions to curb pollution from household energy use. The WHO has also issued guidelines for indoor air quality, offering evidence-based guidance on the fuels and technologies that can be considered clean, including recommendations to discourage the use of kerosene and unprocessed coal.
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Particulate matter (PM2.5) from dust, dirt, smoke, vapors, gases, and heavy metals
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. PM2.5 refers to fine inhalable particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less, which are small enough to enter the lungs and cause adverse health effects. These particles are emitted directly from sources such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, and fires, as well as from complex reactions of gaseous pollutants in the atmosphere.
In the Middle East, PM2.5 can originate from various sources, including industrial activities, transportation, and natural factors. Oil and gas production are major industries in the region, and the combustion of fossil fuels releases pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, which contribute to PM2.5 formation. Additionally, dust and sand storms are common in the Middle East, and these events can generate large amounts of particulate matter, including PM2.5, which can remain suspended in the air for extended periods.
The health impacts of PM2.5 exposure are significant. Long-term exposure has been linked to premature death, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart or lung diseases. It can also lead to reduced lung function growth in children and contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as asthma exacerbations. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that particulate matter in outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer.
To mitigate the health risks associated with PM2.5, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines and supported countries in implementing evidence-based policies and interventions. These include promoting clean technologies, improving waste management practices, transitioning to clean energy sources, prioritizing sustainable transport options, and enhancing urban planning to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
It is important to note that while this information provides a general overview of the sources and impacts of PM2.5 in the Middle East, the specific contributions of dust, dirt, smoke, vapors, gases, and heavy metals to PM2.5 levels may vary across different regions within the Middle East due to factors such as industrial activities, geographical characteristics, and local regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries are among the world's top emitters of CO2 and SO2 per capita.
Diseases associated with air pollution caused about 7% of all premature deaths in the Middle East and North Africa in 2013.
Cairo, Egypt is among the worst cities in the world for nitrogen oxide presence in the air.
In the Middle East and North Africa, welfare losses related to air pollution were about $154 billion, or the equivalent of about 2.2% of the regional GDP.
