Sharjah Municipality launches mobile station to monitor air quality

Sharjah City Municipality has launched a mobile station to monitor outdoor air quality in all residential, commercial and industrial areas as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the emirate’s public health system and provide a safe and healthy environment.

Jamal Al Mazmi, Director of Health Control and Safety Department at Sharjah City Municipality, revealed that the station was put into service last November after being fully supplied with the necessary equipment and sensors to ensure efficient performance and accurate results.

The launch of the station reflects Sharjah City Municipality’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and society, providing a healthy and safe environment, conserving the environment and reducing pollution, he said.

It also aims at accurately and continuously monitoring air quality in all areas across the city and providing results that will contribute to appropriate decision-making and follow-up to monitor any changes in air quality and address them, he added.

Al Mazmi explained that the station includes highly sensitive and high-quality sensors capable of detecting a range of gases such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur oxides and fine suspended particles such as PM2.5 and PM10, in addition to volatile organic compounds.

The station’s sensors have a high resolution of parts per billion (ppb) while the collected data analyzes pollution patterns and develops plans to improve air quality and plant trees in areas with high traffic density.

Al Mazmi stated that the station is envisaged to be utilised in related scientific studies and research with educational institutions. Since the station was put into operation, the municipality has begun utilising it for field training for university students specialising in the environment, he added.

The station proved effective in detecting sources of pollution and there is a plan to expand the project to include additional areas in the emirate and possibly link the station to early warning systems where immediate warnings are forwarded to those in charge of the area if pollutants exceed permissible limits, enabling them to take the necessary measures, he said.