Roads and Transport Authority conducts study to assess environment pollution

In other GCC countries however, factories are known to be the major pollutant. The studies were supervised and monitored by Salem Al Shafei, Director of Strategic Planning for Transport.

In a bid to reduce the rising pollution levels, the RTA has decided not to renew the registration of cars which are more than 15 years old, as the amount of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons emitted from old vehicles is higher. Other alternatives supported by RTA to keep the pollution levels in check include limiting the use of private vehicles and switching to public transport, using natural gas instead of other fuels like petrol and diesel and using equipments like catalytic converters and exhaust filters. Vehicles will be regularly inspected for their pollution levels and international standards will be adopted shortly.

Salem Al Shafei said, "The number of cars registered last year amounted to 6, 25,000, signifying a 10 per cent increase over the last few years. The gases emitted include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and huge amounts of lead. These gases cause various respiratory disorders and even lung cancer due to their high toxic levels. Frequent braking and speeding also contribute to increased emissions from vehicles.'

'There is a direct relation between the pollution emitted and age of the car, as older the car, higher is the pollution level. Cars will be checked for their emission levels of carbons and hydrocarbons and will have to be within permissible levels before registration,' he added.

Statistics also reveal that among the various gases emitted, hydrocarbon levels are well below the prescribed limits, unlike what has been noticed in most other countries in the region. Between 1.5 to 10 per cent of the cars emit carbons and hydrocarbons beyond permissible levels.