Abu Dhabi gets first fixed air quality monitoring station

10 fixed stations and 2 mobile stations will be set up in different parts of the Emirate by the first quarter of 2007.

In a ceremony today, EAD launched the first station under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of EAD. The station was assembled inside Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan School, in Al Mushrif area. This site was chosen as a representative of a typical residential area in the city.

The establishment of this network of stations constitutes the third phase of the Abu Dhabi Air Quality Management Project, which EAD has implemented since 2003 in cooperation with ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Municipalities. Abu Dhabi Police is also a partner in this project, as they provide essential data about traffic counts, vehicle age and distribution.

During the launch, H.E Mr. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD, said 'With the launching of this first fixed station, this is where cleaner air begins for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi… While we are witnessing rapid industrial and tourism development around us in the Emirate, I would like to assure the public that we are using the best technology available to monitor the air we breathe here in Abu Dhabi in order to ensure that it is clean by minimizing the percentage of pollutants such as Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, Particulate Matter and Ozone.'

This project came as part of EAD's continuous efforts to protect and conserve the environment for future generations. It will assist EAD in continuous monitoring of air quality and ensuring that it doesn't exceed international standards and setting regulations and strategies to prevent the worsening of the situation. It is well established that polluted air causes the irritation of the respiratory system and exacerbates respiratory problems in children and those who suffer from asthma. Moreover, throughout the project, national capacity is being built in various areas such as modelling of emissions, strategy setting and data analysis through the delivery of specialized technical lectures and on-the-job training during the installation of the station and throughout the life of the project.

The fourth and final phase of the Air Quality Management Project comprises the continuous operation of the installed state-of-the-art system. Experience will be enhanced throughout the life of the project to ensure maximum utilization of this invaluable planning and prediction tool.