Kuwait's Air Pollution: Causes And Effects

Kuwait City, the country's capital and largest city, has a significant pollution problem. Its air quality is generally acceptable, but sensitive groups may experience adverse health effects from long-term exposure. The city's pollution stems from its use, extraction, and export of fossil fuels, vehicular fumes, and heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses, which often run on diesel fuel and outdated engines. Oil reserves have also caused environmental disasters when set on fire or leaked into the soil and water, rendering areas uninhabitable. Dust is a major component of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and dust storms are becoming more frequent. A 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 increases overall mortality by 1.19%, and respiratory issues are a significant concern, especially for the elderly and children.

Oil extraction, drilling, fracking, storing, exporting, and burning

Kuwait's oil industry has been a major contributor to the country's air pollution. Oil extraction, drilling, fracking, storing, exporting, and burning have all taken a toll on Kuwait's environment, with long-lasting impacts that continue to affect the country today.

During the Gulf War in 1990-1991, Iraqi forces, led by Saddam Hussein, occupied Kuwait in an attempt to gain control of its lucrative oil supply. As they were forced to retreat by a US-led coalition, the Iraqi troops set more than 700 oil wells on fire as a vengeful act. This resulted in thick smoke that darkened the days and glowing nights from the burning oil wells. The smoke plume stretched for 800 miles, and 11 million barrels of crude oil spilled into the Persian Gulf, creating a nine-mile-long oil slick. This environmental catastrophe had a profound impact on Kuwait's air quality and left lasting damage.

The Burgan oil fields in southern Kuwait were particularly hard hit, with more than 100 contaminated oil lakes forming in the region. These oil lakes continue to pollute the soil and pose significant risks to the ecosystem and human health. Even decades later, the remediation efforts have been slow, and the contamination remains a challenge to address.

The Kuwait Oil Company is leading the remediation efforts, and funds have been allocated for this purpose, including a $3 billion award from the UN compensation commission in 2005. However, bureaucratic delays and the sheer scale of the contamination have hindered progress. As a result, billions of dollars allocated for remediation remain unspent, and the exposed contaminated soil continues to pose environmental and health hazards.

The impact of the oil well fires and resulting pollution has been devastating, with principal research scientist at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Dr Samira Omar Asem, recalling the "sound of gushing oil and roaring fires" and the sight of "a dead goat sinking in an oil lake." The contamination has also had lasting health consequences, such as the case of Hall, who was exposed to toxins during his time in Kuwait and now suffers from pulmonary sarcoidosis, a rare disease affecting the immune system.

Urban development and economic growth

Kuwait is a high-income city-state emirate with considerable resources, especially oil. Kuwait's economy is heavily based on the use, extraction, and exportation of oil, which inevitably leads to a large amount of pollution from these activities, including industrial processing, exporting, and occasional disasters. The country's strong economy is also backed by its large oil reserves, which has led to rapid urban development and economic growth, further contributing to pollution readings.

The discovery of oil in Kuwait has resulted in a transformative urban boom, with the country undergoing a rapid increase in urban development and population growth. This has led to issues such as traffic congestion and housing shortages, which the government is attempting to address through the construction of new cities and the extension of road infrastructure. However, the focus on road infrastructure has contributed to the high levels of motorization and long commuting distances, negatively impacting the environment and health.

The urban development in Kuwait has been driven not only by internal migration but also by overseas immigration of laborers. The country has experienced a rapid and unprecedented population growth, with a small increase in the respective urban area, leading to an alarming rise in urban density. This has caused problems for residents' lifestyles, the economy, and the environment.

To address these issues, Kuwait is considering the use of urban modeling and smart cities development. The application of agent-based modeling (ABM) coupled with geographic information systems (GIS) has been proposed as a competent tool for implementation in environmental and sustainability subjects. Additionally, further investment in public transport infrastructure may help reduce pollution readings, although this may only have a slight impact.

Overall, the rapid urban development and economic growth in Kuwait, driven by its strong oil-based economy, have contributed to the country's air pollution problems. The country is now facing the challenge of balancing its economic growth with environmental sustainability and the residents' quality of life.

Natural occurrences, like sandstorms

Kuwait's air pollution is caused by a multitude of factors, one of which is natural occurrences like sandstorms. Sandstorms are a common natural phenomenon in the region, and while they are not anthropogenic in nature, they can significantly impact air quality. These storms kick up large amounts of fine particulate matter, including finely ground gravel, sand, and silica particles, which are then blown into the air.

The health risks associated with breathing in this polluted air are significant. The tiny particles are easily inhaled into the lungs, causing damage and leading to respiratory issues. During a severe sandstorm in Iraq in 2025, thousands of people were hospitalized with breathing problems, and similar issues have been reported in Kuwait. In April 2022, a dust storm blanketed Kuwait, leading to schools being closed and remote learning being implemented to protect students from the unhealthy air.

The impact of sandstorms on air quality is not limited to the immediate increase in particulate matter. A study in Saudi Arabia found that sandstorms can worsen air quality by increasing the levels of ozone and carbon monoxide, which are harmful to human health. The strong winds associated with sandstorms can also reduce visibility, impacting transportation and daily life.

While sandstorms are a natural part of the region's climate, their frequency and severity may be influenced by changing environmental conditions. Climate experts have noted that sandstorms in Iraq and Syria are becoming more frequent and intense, which could have implications for Kuwait as well.

As Kuwait continues to develop economically and urbanize, it is important to consider the impact of natural occurrences like sandstorms on air quality. By understanding and addressing these natural contributors to air pollution, Kuwait can work towards improving the health and well-being of its residents.

Vehicle emissions

The use of outdated engines and less strict regulations regarding fuel types contribute to higher levels of pollution emitted by these vehicles. Black carbon, a major component of soot, is often visible coming out of old tanker trucks and lorries, covering areas with high traffic in thick black layers. The presence of black carbon, a known carcinogen, in vehicle emissions has a significant impact on air quality.

In addition to the type of engines and fuels used, the increase in the overall number of vehicles on the road has also contributed to higher pollution levels. With a growing population and an increasing rate of personal vehicle ownership, the number of cars on Kuwait's roads is naturally rising. This increase in vehicle density leads to higher concentrations of pollutants, particularly in areas with heavy traffic.

Furthermore, the country's fuel subsidies have also played a role in the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality. By subsidizing fuel costs, Kuwait has inadvertently encouraged higher consumption and usage of vehicles, leading to a greater cumulative impact on the environment. This has resulted in a vicious cycle where the increased consumption of fuel contributes to higher emissions and further degrades air quality.

While the COVID-19 lockdowns provided a brief respite, with a noticeable improvement in air quality during that period, vehicle emissions continue to be a pressing issue in Kuwait. The country has taken some steps towards reducing emissions, such as developing an emissions trade system and proposing taxes on plants emitting high levels of greenhouse gases. However, with a continued focus on the oil industry and economic growth, striking a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability remains a challenging task for Kuwait.

Population growth

Kuwait's population has grown rapidly, which has resulted in an increase in traffic volume. This increase in traffic has contributed to the country's air pollution problem. With more people comes a greater demand for personal vehicles, and with Kuwait's fuel subsidies, the number of cars on the road has increased. This has led to higher emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from vehicles, particularly in areas of high traffic.

The population growth has also contributed to the country's economic growth, which has further exacerbated the pollution problem. As the economy grows, so does the demand for oil and related products, as well as the industrial materials used in the creation of extraction and processing equipment. This has led to an increase in the number of heavy-duty vehicles on the roads, such as trucks, lorries, and buses, which often run on diesel fuel and older, more polluting engines.

In addition to the direct impact of population growth on air pollution, the increase in population has also put pressure on the environment in other ways. The urban development necessary to accommodate a larger population has led to a loss of green space and natural areas, which could have helped to mitigate the effects of pollution. The arid environment of Kuwait, combined with the increasing population density, further compounds the air quality issues.

It is worth noting that the population of Kuwait is majority male (63%) and that non-Kuwaiti males are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution. This is due to their higher labour employment rate in outdoor occupations such as construction and agriculture, as well as their tendency to spend more time outdoors for work and other activities.

Overall, the rapid population growth in Kuwait has played a significant role in the country's air pollution crisis, leading to increased traffic, economic activity, and environmental pressure. Addressing this issue will require a comprehensive approach that considers both the reduction of vehicle emissions and the unique characteristics of the population and their exposure to pollutants.

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