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Module Kuwait Air Quality Index (KAQI)
4 The Kuwait Air Quality Index (KAQI) is a simple and easy way for presenting to the public the status of

air quality around the 13 air quality monitoring stations in Kuwait. The purpose of the KAQI is to help

you understand what local air quality means to your health. The KAQI tells you how clean or unhealthy
your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern.
9-12 December, 2013 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for the pollutant, which is the level the Environment Public
Think of the KAQI as a scale that measures from 0 to 500. A value of 100 corresponds to the Kuwaiti

Authority in Kuwait (KEPA) has set to protect public health. The higher the KAQI value, the greater the
level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. To make it easier to understand, the KAQI is
divided into five levels of health concern of different colors:

KAQI Category KAQI Value Description
Very good 0 - 50 The air quality considered to be very good. Concentra-
tions of all air pollutants are well below the National Air
Quality Standards (NAQS)

Good 51 - 100 Air quality is acceptable. Concentrations of all air pollut-
ants are still within the National Air Quality Standards
(NAQS) with no reported exceedances.

Moderate 101 - 150 The air quality is moderate, where a limited/marginal
exceedance above of the National Air Quality Standards
(NAQS) has been reported. Members of sensitive groups
may experience health effects, however, the general pub-
lic is not likely to be affected.
Bad 151 - 300 The air quality is bad, where a significant exceedance
above the National Air Quality Standards (NAQS) has
been reported. Everyone may begin to experience health
effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience
more serious health effects.
Very bad 301 - 500 The air quality is very bad, where a high exceedance
above the National Air Quality Standards (NAQS) has
been reported. Health warnings of emergency conditions.
The entire population is more likely to be affected.

The KAQI is calculated for five major air pollutants regulated by the List of Executive Orders (210/2001)

of the National Environment Law No 21 for which the Environment Public Authority of Kuwait has
established national air ambient quality standards to protect public health:

1. Sulphur Dioxide (SO )
2
2. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO )
2

70 Monitoring, Data and Indicators