United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Air Pollution and Health Factsheet

Air pollution was among the top 10 risk factors for death in United Arab Emirates in 2019, accounting for nearly 12% of all deaths (less than 10 thousand). Considered separately, ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) ranked as the first leading risk factor for deaths, and household air pollution (HAP) ranked twenty-first. Ozone was not in the top 20 risk factors.

Key statistics at a glance for 2019

98% of the population of United Arab Emirates lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are above the least stringent WHO Interim Target for healthy air (35 µg/m3)

21% of outdoor PM2.5 comes from fossil-fuel combustion (i.e., coal, oil and gas)

4% of deaths due to air pollution are in children under 5

Exposure to Air Pollution

PM2.5 (presented as population-weighted annual average concentration)

  • No Change in 2019 (44 µg/m3) than in 2010 (44 µg/m3)
  • Equal or below than the global average (44 µg/m3)
  • United Arab Emirates ranks eleventh among 21 North Africa and Middle East countries
  • No documented stations monitored for PM2.5 in United Arab Emirates***

Ozone (presented as populatiom-weighted seasonal average concentration)

  • Lower in 2019 (56 ppb) than in 2010 (58 ppb)
  • Higher than the global average (50 ppb)

HAP (% of population relying on solid fuels for cooking)

  • No Change in 2019 (0%) than in 2010 (0%)

Health Impacts of Air Pollution

  • Air pollution is among the top 10 risk factors for death in United Arab Emirates; less than 10 thousand in 2019 deaths were linked to air pollution.
  • There are 104 deaths per 100,000 people due to air pollution in United Arab Emirates which is higher than the global average (86 deaths per 100,000), adjusted for differences in age.
  • 4% of total air-pollution-attributable deaths in United Arab Emirates are in children under 5, and 13% are in adults over 70.
  • Air pollution reduced life expectancy in United Arab Emirates by 1.5 years.

Percentage of Deaths (by Cause) Due to Air Pollution in United Arab Emirates in 2019

36%

23%

32%

37%

25%

21%

8%

of stroke deaths

of diabetes deaths

of ischemic heart disease deaths

of COPD deaths

of lung cancer deaths

of lower-respiratory infection deaths

of neonatal deaths

Top 5 Sources of Outdoor PM2.5 and Associated Health Burden in United Arab Emirates in 2019

Residential

Industry

Energy

Anthropogenic Dust

Agriculture

Contribution to total outdoor PM2.5

1%

7%

15%

1%

3%

Number of PM2.5 linked deaths

28

195

417

28

83

* Please note that PM2.5 concentrations reported here are estimated using a combination of satellite data, ground air quality monitoring data, and chemical transport models. These estimates can be more uncertain where ground monitoring data are limited or not available. In United Arab Emirates, the best estimate of the annual average exposure is 44 µg/m3, but it may range from 33 µg/m3 to 58 µg/m3.
** Based on data from GBD-MAPS - Global Project. Find out more.
*** Based on data from OpenAQ

For More Information:
For the full report and additional data, please visit www.stateofglobalair.org

Additional Resources:
For open-access, real-time air quality data, visit Open AQ
UN Environment Program Pollution Action Note

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