Dubai air quality: Karama the best, Safa worst

Latest readings of the UAE's Air Quality Index (AQI), published in a recent report by the UAE Air Quality Monitoring Network are surprising - to say the least.

Dubai's congested Karama area has one of the best air quality readings in the UAE - 16 on the AQI scale.

What is more surprising is the fact that the Safa area and its surroundings are worst in the emirate in terms of air quality, with an AQI of 140, while Deira is at 83.

A growing number of crushers and quarries in both Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah has left those emirates with the worst air quality readings in some areas.

Certain areas Fujairah hit the bottom of the scale with dust fall as high 1662 mg/square metre/day and AQI well above the hazardous mark of 450 in areas close to crushers.

Following close behind is RAK's Union Cement Factory site, where air quality is among worst with the dust fall hitting 1483 mg/square metre/day.

Ironically, the area with country's best AQI, according to the report, is also located in the Fujairah emirate. Sakamkam’s reading just 11 on the AQI scale.

While there is no reading for Sharjah, all areas of Ajman and Umm Al Quwain fall well within the green zone of AQI, with most readings hovering around 25 AQI.

Though most areas in the capital, Abu Dhabi, also fall in the green zone, Hamdan Street and Bani Yas are marginally close to the danger zone with the reading of 113 and 118 on the AQI scale, while the areas surrounding Abu Dhabi airport is worst hit in the southern coastal areas including the capital, with a reading of 153, marginally above the danger zone.

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