Traffic contribution of volatile organic compounds to the air-shed of Kuwait

Jasem M. Alhumoud; Fawzia M. Al-Ruwaih; Sami H. Ali; Mohammad H. Redhaee

doi:10.1108/14777831211204949

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Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal

ISSN: 1477-7835
Previously published as: Environmental Management and Health

Online from: 2003

Subject Area: Environmental Management/Environment

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Traffic contribution of volatile organic compounds to the air-shed of Kuwait

Document Information:
Title:	Traffic contribution of volatile organic compounds to the air-shed of Kuwait
Author(s):	Jasem M. Alhumoud, (Civil Engineering Department, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait), Fawzia M. Al-Ruwaih, (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait), Sami H. Ali, (Chemical Engineering Department, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait), Mohammad H. Redhaee, (Mechanical Engineering Department, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait)
Citation:	Jasem M. Alhumoud, Fawzia M. Al-Ruwaih, Sami H. Ali, Mohammad H. Redhaee, (2012) "Traffic contribution of volatile organic compounds to the air-shed of Kuwait", Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Vol. 23 Iss: 2, pp.204 - 221
Keywords:	Air pollutants, Indoor air quality, Kuwait, Outdoor air quality, Residential property, Road vehicles, Traffic, Vehicular traffic, Volatile organic compounds
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/14777831211204949 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Acknowledgements:	The authors acknowledge that Nayef Al-Mutairi, Fahad Al-Rukaibi and Parvis Kushki (posthumously) have all provided useful comments and constructive criticisms at various times during this study. Moreover, they have provided very useful suggestions for the study. In addition, the authors are very thankful to the distinguished reviewers of the journal for their comments and suggestions.
Abstract:	Purpose – This study aims to evaluate the effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the indoor and outdoor air quality in Kuwait due to vehicular traffic. Design/methodology/approach – About 700 VOCs samples were collected from randomly selected residences within Kuwait. For simplicity, the study was divided into three areas: area A between the first and third ring roads, area B between the third and fifth ring roads and area C between the fifth and sixth ring roads. Hazardous Air Pollutants on Site (HAPSITE), a portable Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS), was used to gather air samples inside and outside of the residences selected in the study area for a period of three months during 2008. Findings – Median indoor air quality levels in the study area were similar to the outdoor levels. Indoor/outdoor ratios varied from 0.5 to 8 for most compounds, suggesting that the indoor air quality was less than the outdoor air quality. It was found that none of the indoor VOC concentrations measured exceeded the upper limits of the indoor air quality set by the Kuwait Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA), with the exception of only one residence where the benzene concentration was observed to be in excess of 17 per cent of the KEPA limit. Moreover, the indoor air quality for the study areas was found to be in accordance with level 1 set by KEPA, indicative of very good air quality. Originality/value – This is the first study conducted in Kuwait to collect VOCs samples and to explore the air quality inside and outside of residential buildings.