Air Quality and Atmospheric Pollution In the Arab Region

The issue of air quality conditions and atmospheric pollution in the Arab Region (or Middle East and North African countries) has been addressed through consideration of the energy production and energy consumption pattern. Global, regional and local sources of air pollution in the region have been considered. Emission scenarios of many countries of the region have been outlined. Even though it has been long realized that air pollution constitutes one of the major sources of loss on GNP of many countries in the region weak institutional capabilities for air pollution management and control still exist in the region. Major types of pollution sources in the region such as dust storms and sandstorms, greenhouse gas emissions and other gases from various industries are outlined. Local sources including urban growth, transportation systems, industrialization, and lack of awareness and shortage of institutional capabilities all contributed to the relatively low air quality and weak control. The risk of radioactive contamination of air and shortage of contingency plan has not taken into consideration. Examples of potential impacts of air pollution on the national gross product as well as potential impacts of climate change on various economic and health sectors have also been investigated. An outline of the required ground-based monitoring networks and its needs as well as the most recent capabilities of satellite monitoring systems have been presented and needs for capacity building concerning new air pollution monitoring and control techniques have been addressed. Examples of the output of monitoring networks of Egypt has been presented and discussed. The need for change of fuel strategy shift with particular emphasis on transportation systems, industry and urban systems is emphasized. Priorities for action on the global, regional and local scales have been addressed for improving consumption pattern, minimizing impacts of climate change and depletion of ozone layer, upgrading air quality and promoting better governance and Public Participation for Sustainable Development. Particular emphasis was also placed on building up and upgrading institutional capabilities in member countries through establishing of monitoring and assessment networks.